Dr. Ruth Clifford Engs - Presentations, Publications & Research Data

Permanent link for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/2022/16829

Dr. Engs is a Professor Emerita within the School of Public Health at Indiana University. Some information about her research is on her website at alcohol.iu.edu

NOTE: Paper manuscripts and material for Dr. Engs can be found in the IUArchives. Finding aid for collection is available at: http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/findingaids/view?doc.view=entire_text&docId=InU-Ar-VAC0859

Research topics by Dr. Engs have included the exploration of hypotheses concerning the determinants of behaviors such as student drinking patterns; models that have examine the etiology of cycles of prohibition and temperance movements, origins of western European drinking cultures (attitudes and behaviors concerning alcohol) from antiquity, eugenics, Progressive Era, and other social reform movements with moral overtones-Clean Living Movements; biographies of health and social reformers including Upton Sinclair; diary of WWII Army physician; history of public health and unusual medical treatments; and oral histories of elderly monks.

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ALCOHOL KNOWLEDGE AMONG COLLEGIANS: 1983-1985
(1986-04) Engs, Ruth Clifford; Hanson, David J.
Thus PURPOSE of this study was to examine the demographic variables in relation to the knowledge of alcohol among a sample of college students throughout the United States to determine possible changes. METHODS: Student were administered the Student Alcohol Questionnaire. This is a highly reliable questionnaire (r=.79) which contains 36 questions on alcohol and its effects. The sample was collected during the 1983-4 academic year to students at 72 of the 82 colleges that had participated in a similar study conducted in 1982-3. A sub-sample was drawn containing the same universities and colleges which had participated l982-83 for comparison. RESULTS revealed that with the exception of females, the demographic composition closely approximated that of students attending four year intuitions of higher learning in the United States. Of 36 possible correct answers, between the two time periods, a significant difference in mean score of 20.9 for the 1983 group and 21.3 for the 1984-5 was found (P< .01). Significant differences in scores between the two time periods were also found for males, whites, juniors and Roman Catholics. No differences were found with other demographic variables. It is RECOMMENDED that educators, as part of their baseline data collection of drinking patterns, also include a knowledge scale. A change in levels of knowledge could be used as an indicator of effectiveness of their campus alcohol awareness programs.
ALCOHOL KNOWLEDGE AND DRINKING PATTERNS OF NURSING STUDENTS: 1983 - 1985: Implications for Nursing Education
(1988-07-04) Engs, Ruth Clifford; Hanson, David J.
The PURPOSE of this study was to assess the knowledge of alcohol and drinking patterns among nursing students over time. METHODS: An identical anonymous pre-coded questionnaire, the Student Alcohol Questionnaire, was used in both 1982-83 and 1984-85. It included demographic items, questions regarding the consumption of alcohol, 36 items examining knowledge of alcohol, and 17 items concerning possible consequences of drinking. The 36 "true-false" alcohol knowledge items included questions concerned with factual information about alcohol and drinking myths. RESULTS: this study indicate stability in the drinking patterns and problems of nursing students as well as their alcohol knowledge over a two year time period. Some students appeared to have patterns which may indicate problem drinking and there were misconceptions concerning the effects of alcohol and the nature of problem drinking. RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended that alcohol education, such as outlined in this article be instituted at the collegiate level in the preparation of nurses.
Boozing and brawling on campus: A national study of violent problems associated with drinking over the past decade
(Elsevier, 1994) Engs, Ruth Clifford; Hanson, David J.
BACKGROUND :An increase in alcohol-related violent crime in the United States since the early 1980s has been found. Concomitantly there has been a decrease in per capita consumption of alcohol. Cultural Theory suggests that students will follow the trends of society in terms of behaviors such as alcohol consumption and violence related to drinking. Subcultural Theory, on the other hand, suggests that these behaviors will reflect subcultural rather than societal trends. Thus, the PURPOSE of this study was to determine possible changes in drinking patterns and violent behavior related to drinking from 1982 until 1991 with the same sample of universities from all contiguous states in the United States. A secondary purpose was to test the Cultural and Subcultural models of behavior. METHODS: The student alcohol questionnaire was used with university students from around the nation over four time periods (1982-1991). RESULTS: Based on a sample over 4,000 students, at each of four time periods over the past decade, a significant (p < .001) decrease in the percentage of students reporting that they had consumed alcohol at least once during the preceding year was found. The percentage declined from 82.4 in 1982 to 78.8 in 1991. Likewise, there was a significant (p < .001) decrease in the mean amount of alcohol consumed (14.3 to 12.8 drinks per week between 1982 and 1991). With regard to self-reported violent/legal problems related to drinking, there were significant increases (p < .001) in the percentages of students who had “gotten into a fight” (11.6 to 17.2) and had had “trouble with the law” (4.4 to 7.6) between 1982 and 1991 because of drinking. Likewise, there were significant increases (p < .05) in the percentages who had engaged in vandalism (9.3 to 10.5) and had had “trouble with the school administration” (1.9 to 2.5) because of drinking. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the Cultural Theory of behavior in that the students' drinking and violence related to drinking appear to have followed the trends of the United States as a whole over the past decade.
CORRELATES OF DRINKING PROBLEMS AND KNOWLEDGE OF ALCOHOL AMONG COLLEGIANS OVER TIME: IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATION
(1986-08-06) Engs, Ruth Clifford; Hanson, David J.
The PURPOSE of this study was to compile and discuss data analyzed by the authors concerning the drinking patterns, problems and knowledge of alcohol among a sample of college students from throughout the United States in 1984-1985 compared with a sample drawn from the same university and colleges in 1982-1983. METHODS: Student were administered the Student Alcohol Questionnaire. This highly reliable questionnaire (r=.79) contains 6 items on drinking patterns, 17 items concerning possible consequences of drinking. And 36 questions on alcohol and its effects. The questionnaire was administered to 4,266 students during the 1984-5 academic year from students at 72 of the 82 colleges that had participated in a similar study conducted in 1982-3 (N=4485). A sub-sample was drawn containing the same universities and colleges which had participated l982-83 for comparison. The RESULTS revealed that a lower percent of both males and females exhibited drinking and driving variables. This was also found for whites but not blacks, and among arts and humanities, physical science and engineering and business majors,. Change was also noted for those with grade point averages between 3.0 and 3.5, those to whom religion was important and among Roman Catholics and Protestants to whom drinking is allowed. Some of the demographic groups increased and some decreased various items concerning knowledge of alcohol and its effects. RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS: In view of the results of this study it is recommended that further research be carried out to target specific problem drinking groups to ascertain the most effective combination of methods which not only affect knowledge but behavior.
CORRELATES OF DRINKING PROBLEMS BETWEEN VARIOUS COLLEGE MAJORS: Implications for identifying problem drinking among students.
(1987-04) Engs, Ruth Clifford; Hanson, David J.
PURPOSE: the purpose of this study was to compare 18 problems related to drinking by course of study in a large national sample of university students. METHODS: the Student Alcohol Questionnaire was administered to 72 universities throughout the United States with the resulting sample containing 4,266 students.RESULTS: a significant difference was found in this sample of students on seven problems related to drinking between the majors. Business major experienced a higher percent of problems compared to health science (nursing, health education, etc) and other students. CONCLUSION: alcohol education and intervention programs need to be aimed at this group of students
DRINKING GAMES AMONG MODERATE AND HEAVY DRINKERS: INFLUENCE OF DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES
(1993-10) Engs, Ruth Clifford; Hanson, David J.
PURPOSE: the purpose of the study was to determine possible association of playing drinking games on alcohol consumption and problems related to drinking. Another purpose was to examine the effect drinking game playing of light-moderate and of heavy “binge” drinking students by demographic variables. METHODS: a national sample of 3,830 students from 62 American colleges and universities during the 1990-1991 academic year, using the Student Alcohol Questionnaire, were surveyed. RESULTS: Among Light-Moderate drinking game players for all but two of the problems related to drinking, a significantly (p< .05) higher percentage of game players compared to nongame players exhibited drinking related problems. They also consumed significantly (p <.001) more drinks per week (7.8) compared to the non-game players (3.4). On the other hand, among Heavy or “binge drinkers,” there was little difference between game and non-game players exhibiting problems related to drinking. A significantly (p < .001) higher proportion of students who played drinking games possessed the following characteristics: whites, under 21 year of age, lower school year status, mainstream Protestants, and students enrolled in large universities, in rural areas, in the north central region of the United States. Among heavy drinkers, other than for white and underage students, no differences were found nor was there a difference in the amount of alcohol consumed between game and non-game players (30 drinks per week). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that drinking game playing appeared to increase problems related to alcohol primarily among more moderate drinkers in this sample of students. Those who were heavy drinkers were exhibiting more problems regardless of their game-playing status. Education about the effect of game playing among students who are moderate drinkers and its increased risks of problems related to drinking should be addressed.
THE DRINKING PATTERNS OF AMERICAN AND POLISH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: A CROSS-NATIONAL STUDY
(Elsevier, 1991-03) Engs, Ruth Clifford; Slawinska, Jadwiga B; Hanson, David J.
A study of 3375 American and 1408 Polish university students was accomplished to test the hypotheses that cultural differences influence drinking patterns and beverage preferences between countries. Using the same questionnaire in both samples, the results revealed that significantly (p < .001) more drinks per week were consumed by both Polish male (24.9) and female (15.2) students compared to American male (15.0) and female (7.6) students. Significantly (p < .001) more wine was consumed by Polish (8.7) compared to the American (0.8) students. American female students consumed more beer than Polish female students. There was no difference between beer and spirits consumption between American and Polish males and Polish students in latter school years consumed more alcohol compared to students in the first years of school. It was concluded that the samples of students in this study reflected their cultures in terms of drinking patterns and beverage preference.
DRINKING PATTERNS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS OVER A SEVEN YEAR TIME PERIOD: The Effect of Raising the Drinking Age
(1988-08) Engs, Ruth Clifford; Hanson, David J.
The PURPOSE of this study was to examine drinking patterns and problems of a sample of college students from throughout the United States over three time periods to determine possible changes in patterns due to changes public policies. METHODS: Student were administered the Student Alcohol Questionnaire (SAQ) at the same 56 colleges that had participated in the study during 1982-3 (N=3145), 1984-5 (N=2797) and 1987-8 (N=3375). This highly reliable questionnaire (r=.79) contains 6 items on drinking patterns, 17 items concerning possible problems resulting from drinking, and 36 questions on alcohol and its effects. RESULTS: The results comparing behaviors and problems over the three time periods revealed a significant decline of students who had consumed alcohol (84% in 1983; 83% in 1985 and 79% in 1987). Percent of students reporting the three drinking and driving related problems and vomiting had significantly decreased while getting into a fight after drinking had significantly increased (p < .05). The other variables were stable. CONCLUSIONS: Although there were a few changes, these changes were already beginning to occur prior to any change in the drinking age laws on the national level.
HIGH RISK STUDENTS: Comparison of the percent of drinking students who exhibited behavior related to drinking during 1987-1988
(1989-08) Engs, Ruth Clifford; Hanson, David J.
The PURPOSE of this brief report was to describe possible high risk students for drinking problems by personal, academic and institutional demographic variables. METHODS: A national sample of college students during the 1987-1988 academic year at institutions that had previously partaken in a study of post-secondary colleges and universities drinking patterns and problems since 1982 completed the Student Alcohol Questionnaire (SAQ). RESULTS: in this sample of around 3,400 students, who drank at least once a year, it was found that a significant (p<.05) higher percent of males, whites, Roman Catholic and Protestants whose religion allowed drinking, those to whom-religion was not important, had a low grade point average, were freshmen, those living in the North East, were heavy or “at risk” drinkers and to exhibited problems related to alcohol. These results are reported in tables.
LEGISLATION DRINKING NORMS: THEIR IMPACT ON COLLEGIATE DRINKING
(1989-04-01) Engs, Ruth Clifford; Hanson, David J.
BACKGROUND: Researchers in the behavioral sciences have found that telling people not to do something often produces the opposite reaction. People value their sense of freedom and autonomy and like to project an image of self-control. Reactance theory suggests that whenever people believe their freedom either has, or will be, threatened they enter into a reactance motivational state and act to regain control by not complying. University students throughout the centuries have consumed alcoholic beverages.Since July of 1987, it has been illegal throughout the USA for those under 21 yr. of age to purchase alcohol. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine if reactance motivation has been aroused among underage college students leading to exhibit higher levels of both (1) quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption, and (2) more drinking problems compared to collegians of legal purchase age. METHODS: An anonymous pre-coded instrument, The Student Alcohol Questionnaire was used. It has demonstrated an internal consistency reliability of .79 and includes demographic items, questions regarding the consumption of various alcoholic beverages, and 17 items concerning possible negative consequences of drinking. A quota sample of 55 colleges and universities was selected for data collection during the 1987-88 academic year which resulted in a sample of 3,375 students RESULTS: A significantly higher proportion of underage students were drinkers (81.2%) compared to students of legal age (75.3%). Additionally, a significantly higher proportion of underage students were “binge” or heavy drinkers (24.0%) than are those of legal age (15.3%). Significantly more drinking problems were also reported by underage compared to legal age drinkers. CONCLUSIONS: Among this sample of students, public policy which forbids university students under age 21 from drinking has led to a back lash and more problems related to drinking among this group. It is recommended that the current laws be reevaluated in light of this, and other studies, that suggest more drinking problems are now found among underage collegians.
REACTANCE THEORY AND DRINKING LEGISLATION
(1988-10-04) Engs, Ruth Clifford; Hanson, David J.
PURPOSE: the purpose of this study was to test Reactance Theory among a sample of university students over a seven year period in which the drinking laws were undergoing change in the United States. Reactance Theory suggests that telling underage students it is illegal to drink is likely to be counterproductive. Since July l987, it has been illegal in the United States for those under 21 years of age to purchase alcohol. METHODS: A sample of 3,375 college students during the l987-l988 academic year using the Student Alcohol Questionnaire (SAQ ) was collected throughout the nation. RESULTS: it was revealed that significantly more underage students (81%) drank compared to legal age drinkers (75%) and were heavy or at risk drinkers (24%) compared to legal age students (l5%). They also exhibited more drinking related problems. CONCLUSIONS: the results of this study support Reactance Theory and suggest that the "21 year old drinking laws" are counter productive among this national sample of college students..
Religion and Collegiate Drinking Over Time
(Scientific Research Publishing, 1987) Hanson, David J.; Engs, Ruth Clifford
To examine religious affiliation and the incidence of drinking problems among college students over time, a questionnaire was administered to students at 72 colleges throughout the United States in 1982-83 (N=6,115) and again in 1984-85 (N=4,266).
TESTING REACTANCE THEORY WITH A NATIONWIDE SAMPLE OF COLLEGE STUDENTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR COLLEGE ALCOHOL EDUCATION PROGRAMS USING THE HEALTH BELIEF MODEL
(1988) Engs, Ruth Clifford; Hanson, David J.
BACKGROUND: There is a need to improve existing alcohol education programming for young adults, including college students. Telling students it is illegal to drink, according to Reactance Theory, is counterproductive as students are unlikely to comply as reactance motivation has been aroused as they perceive their autonomy to be denied. They will do the opposite in order to regain control. Since it is now illegal for those under 21 years old to purchase alcohol, and since drinking has been traditionally part of the college experience, it was hypothesized that more underage, compared to legal age students, would drink and experience problems related to drinking. The Health Belief Model suggests that people do not change behavior unless they personally feel susceptible and can take action in which the benefits outweigh the costs. In order to reduce abusive drinking behaviors, problems in which youth are personally susceptible need to be identified and used as part of an overall educational program. PURPOSE: based upon and the behavioral science Reactance Theory and the health education Health Belief Model, a purpose of the study was to explore principles for more effective alcohol education. Other purpose were to test Reactance Theory, to determine what alcohol problems students exhibited, and to provide information for campus alcohol education programming based upon research. METHODS: The Student Alcohol Questionnaire was used. It has demonstrated an internal consistency reliability of .79 and includes demographic items, questions regarding the consumption of various alcoholic beverages, and 17 items concerning possible negative consequences of drinking. The sample was from a nationwide sample of 3,375 university students during the 1987-1988 academic year. RESULTS: The results of the study support Reactance Theory. Significantly more underage students (81%) drank and were heavy drinkers (24%) compared to legal age students (75% and 15%). Based upon the common alcohol abuse problems of vomiting, hangovers and driving while intoxicated and the implications of reactance Theory and the Heath Belief Model, sample educational messages to prevent alcohol abuse are described.

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