Quantitative Research - Pres.

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DRINKING ACROSS THE ATLANTIC: ARE SCOTTISH STUDENTS SIMILAR TO AMERICAN ?
(1996-04) Engs, Ruth Clifford
This study surveyed both American and Scottish post secondary students during 1994 to determine possible differences in drinking and smoking patterns.Scottish students consumed more alcohol and tobacco compared to Americans. However, in terms of consequences resulting from drinking there were mixed results within various demographic categories.
THE ATTITUDES TOWARDS ALCOHOLISM AND THE RECREATIONAL DRUG USE PATTERNS OF HELPING PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS IN QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
(1981-06) Engs, Ruth Clifford
A study of helping professional students in Queensland Australia that seminary, police students, first year, and students who regarded religion as important had significantly more moralistic and negative attitudes towards alcoholics. Conversely, social work/ psychology, Roman Catholics, individuals who did not consider religion to be important and those in their last year of study had more positive and humanitarian attitudes towards alcoholics.
ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND MARIJUANA USE PATTERNS AMONG SCOTTISH HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS
(1996-06) Engs, Ruth Clifford; van Teijlingen, E. R
PURPOSE: Limited information about recreational drug use over the post-secondary experience, particularly in Scotland are found. Thus the purpose of this study was to investigate selected socio-demographics of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use in post-secondary helping profession students in Scotland. METHODS: The Queensland Alcohol and Drug Study Questionnaire modified for the UK was completed by helping profession students from 22 departments at universities and colleges in five Scottish cities. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 949 males and 3117 female post-secondary students. As found in other studies, a significantly (p < .001) higher percent of males consumed alcohol. Males were more likely to smoke and use marijuana, however, there was no difference in the quantity of tobacco consumed. For both males and females, the prevalence of alcohol and marijuana was highest two or three years before the maximum use of tobacco (students over 24 years of age). Students under 24 years of age were more likely to consume alcohol and marijuana. Older students and those from the Midlands were more likely to consume tobacco. There was no difference between the regions in Scotland concerning alcohol or marijuana use. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that the results of this study supports other investigations in the UK conducted among young adults.
RELIGION AND RELIGIOSITY: ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND MARIJUANA CONSUMPTION AMONG SCOTTISH POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS
(1996-06) Engs, Ruth Clifford; Mullen, Kenneth
The PURPOSE of this study was to determine if religious preference and importance of religion had an effect on recreational drug use. METHODS: The Queensland Alcohol and Drug Questionnaire was used to assess alcohol tobacco an marijuana use of helping profession students in Scotland. RESULTS: Roman Catholic's and those with no religious preferences consumed significantly higher mean units of alcoholic beverages compared to the other groups. In addition a higher percent of Roman Catholics consumed over 28 drinks per week. Students to whom religion was not important consumed significantly more units compared to those to whom religion was important. In regards to smoking, a significantly higher proportion of student who identified their religious preference as the Church of Scotland were non-smokers compared to the other groups. Those to whom religion was important consumed almost half the number of cigarettes per week compare to those to whom religion was not important. Those students who gave their religious preference as Church of Scotland were significantly less likely to smoke marijuana compared to other groups. Students who considered religion important were significantly less likely to smoke marijuana. it was CONCLUDED that religious adherence prevents at risk drInking, smoking and marihuana use among this sample of students.
POLISH AND AMERICAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' DRINKING PATTERNS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL CROSS-CULTURAL STUDY
(1990-06) Engs, Ruth Clifford; Slawinska, Jadwiga B.
The PURPOSE of the study was to test the hypotheses that cultural differences influence drinking patterns and beverage preferences between countries. METHODS: The Student Alcohol Questionnaire (SAQ) was used to collect data in both samples. RESULTS. The sample contained 3375 American and 1408 Polish university students. Approximately the same percent of students in Poland and the United States of America drink at least once a year. When type of beverage was examined, no significant difference was found between the number of drinks of beer or spirits consumed by both groups. However, Polish students consume a significantly higher (p < .001) quantity of wine (X = 8.7 drinks/week) compared to the American sample (X = 0.8 drinks/week). In addition, a significantly higher quantity (p < .001) of alcohol was consumed by Polish students (X = 18.5 drinks/week compared to American students (X = 10.5). It was CONCLUDED that the samples of students in this study reflected their cultures in terms of drinking patterns and beverage preference.
The use of progressive relaxation and hypnosis to increase tennis skill learning: A pilot study
(1985-04) Engs, Ruth Clifford; Greer, Scott H.
The PURPOSE of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of autogenic training (progressive relaxation) and hypnosis on beginning tennis students’ ability to learn basic tennis skills. METHODS: Beginning tennis students in the two experimental groups were guided through progressive relaxation or hypnosis techniques. They were then read a set of tennis practice procedures and asked to imagine volleying the ball across the net. The control group was read the tennis practice procedure only. Both a pre-and a post-test of rallying a tennis ball for as many times possible in 3 minutes was measured for all three groups. RESULTS: No significant difference in tennis skills between students who were randomly assigned to a progressive relaxation, hypnosis, or a control group was found.
THE HEALTH CONCERNS OF STUDENTS AND THE IMPLICATION FOR ALCOHOL EDUCATION PROGRAMMING
(1982-08-30) Engs, Ruth Clifford
The PURPOSE: of this study was to determine the degree of concern students have about a variety of health problems and issues which affect their physical, mental and social well-being. The purpose was also to assess the ranking of these health items associated with alcohol consumption with the leading causes of mortality and morbidity of college age students that are related to drinking. METHODS: the Health Concern Questionnaire, which contains 50 health issues, was used. A 5-point Likert scale asks for degree of concern about each issue. The questionnaire was administered to all students enrolled in a personal health courses at a large Midwestern university during spring semester 1982. A total of 429 students completed the instrument. RESULTS: Students were moderately concerned about several items associated with alcohol use and abuse including automobile accidents, death, alcohol dependence, drug abuse, and smoking. However, items associated with alcohol including suicide, drowning and sexually transmitted diseases only elicited mild concern although they are leading causes of mortality or morbidity among this population. CONCLUSION: although the results can not necessarily be generalized to the population at large of university students from this sample, more emphasis in health promotion and campus alcohol education programming on consequences of risky drinking and methods to reduce its consequences needs to be carried out.
THE CODE: A SHORT QUESTIONNAIRE FOR IDENTIFYING CO-DEPENDENCY AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
(1988-08-01) Engs, Ruth Clifford; Anderson, David S.
PURPOSE: the purpose of this study was to develop an instrument to predict co-dependency problems among university students to assist psychologists, counselors, health educators, and student personnel staff to determine if a student might have a family background of alcoholism without directly asking as some students are in denial concerning family alcoholism. METHODS: A literature search revealed 63 variables associated with those who had alcoholism in their immediate families sometimes called “co-dependents.” Individuals were classified as Co-Dependent if they indicated that either a parent or grandparent had sometimes or often drank too much. Individuals were classified as non-co-dependent if all relatives had never or only sometimes drank. Content validity for questionnaire development was determined by a jury of over 30 professions in the field of alcohol and drugs. Then the instrument was administered to an undergraduate class of 100 university students who were asked to comment on the items. Next 15 self-identified co-dependents attending a seminar on co-dependency were asked to comment on the items. A four-point Likert scale was developed. The finalized version was sent to four universities who volunteered assistance. After elimination of items due to non-significant differences between co- and non-co-dependents or items with reliability less than .3, eleven items remained. For these 11 items, a mean score was determined for each individual. Factor analysis revealed two factors which accounted for 59% of the variance. Since the reliability between both factors was .8, it was decided that one factor could be used for a total score. Spearman-Brown split half technique for internal consistency found a reliability coefficient of .87 and the Cronbach alpha test for homogeneity resulted in an alpha of .89. Discriminate analysis correctly classified individuals as co-depended 69% of the time. Cross validation between two forms of the check list found no significant difference between any items. A highly significant difference was found between co- and non-co-dependents on both forms. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: These procedures indicated that this eleven items instrument was highly reliable, had high internal consistency and could correctly predict a person’s co-dependency - or family background of alcoholism - status approximately 70% of the time. The instrument also could be used intact or embedded with other items and is useful to identify familial alcoholism.
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.
IS PUBLIC POLICY EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING THE DRINKING PROBLEMS of AMERICAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ?
(1992-08-18) Engs, Ruth Clifford
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine differences in drinking and driving, health and school, and legal and social problems of collegians related to drinking at four time periods covering the decade from 1982-1991. This study is part of a long term study of college students drinking patterns and problems by the author and David J. Hanson, SUNY, Potsdam NY. METHODS: a cross sectional design was used. Students were administered the Student Alcohol Questionnaire during each time periods. This highly reliable questionnaire (r=.79) contains 6 items on drinking patterns, 17 items concerning possible consequences of drinking along with other scales. A factor analysis of the 17 problems related to drinking revealed three problem groupings which accounted for 55% of the variance. RESULTS: ANOVA revealed a significant (p <.001) decrease in the “Drinking-Driving” factor. Post-hoc Scheffe showed differences occurred between 1982 and each of the later time periods. Results for the “Health-School” factor found a significant (p<.0001) increase in these problems over the 10 year time period. For “Social-Legal” problems ANOVA, revealed a significant (p <.001) increase over the decade. Post-hoc Scheffe revealed the differences for these two factors were between the early 1980 and 1988 and 1991 time periods. CONCLUSIONS: a decrease in drinking and driving related problems began around 1981 and continued over the ten year time period even before the 21-year- old purchase law in 1987. On the other hand, other problems related to risky drinking increased after this public policy. Few differences between the first two time periods, at the beginning of the decade, or between the time periods after 1987 were found. The differences occurred between the early1980s and the time periods after the “21 year old drinking law” had been implemented in 1987. Although research by many authors have reported a decrease in alcohol consumption from around 1980 among all age groups, the proportion of “binge” or high risk drinkers has not decreased. The results of this study leads to the conclusion that among this sample of students, the current drinking law is not effective in reducing problems related to alcohol other than for drinking and driving.
TRENDS IN AMERICAN FEMALE NURSING STUDENT'S DRINKING PROBLEMS OVER THE PAST DECADE.
(1992-08-20) Engs, Ruth Clifford
PURPOSE: the purpose of this study was to determine if there had been a change over a decade in problems related to drinking. METHODS: The Student Alcohol Questionnaire was used with a quota sample of university students over four time periods. The instrument has a reliability coefficient of .79. and includes 17 problems related to alcohol use and abuse. Female nursing students were select out of the total sample for the four time periods resulting in a sample of 607. RESULTS: Among this sample of female nursing students, who consumed alcohol at least once during the previous 12 months, there was a significant increase in 5 of the 17 problems related to drinking. Over a third of the students had missed a class because of a hangover. Over 10% had been in trouble with the law because of drinking and about 4% had gotten into trouble with school administration, gotten into a fight after drinking too much, or were arrested for driving while intoxicated. There was no change in the percent of heavy or "binge" drinkers.CONCLUSIONS: other than five problems there appears to be few changes regarding drinking. However, three of the problems could potentially affect school, clinical performance or obtaining a license. Alcohol education for student nurses needs to be implemented as part of the curriculum.
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
MEDICAL, NURSING AND PHARMACY STUDENTS' ATTITUDES TOWARD ALCOHOLICS AND ALCOHOLISM IN QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
(1981-04-15) Engs, Ruth Clifford
BACKROUND: Studies have suggested there are differences between helping professionals (physicians, nurses, social workers, psychiatrists, etc.) in their attitudes towards alcoholics and the nature of alcoholism. Studies have also suggested that there are differences between beginning and more advanced students in attitudes towards alcoholics and that attitudes sometimes become more negative as individuals acquire more education. The PURPOSE of this study was to investigate the attitudes towards alcoholics and alcoholism of medical, nursing, and pharmacy students in Queensland, Australia. Other purposes were to determine possible differences in attitudes between gender, courses of study, educational experiences, and religiosity. METHODS: The Tolor and Tamerin Attitudes Towards Alcoholics and Alcoholism scale was used. It contains 24 questions with six scales. The higher the score on a particular scale the more the individual agrees with the concept. The reliability of the six scales range from 0.62 to 0.77 and they are only minimally related to sex, age, and education of the respondent. RESULTS: The final sample included 791 students, of which 431 were medical, 213 nursing and 147 pharmacy students. In regards to “Gender,” females had the highest scores on “psychological” etiology of alcoholism (p< .01) compared to males. Among pharmacy students, females had significantly higher scores on “psychological etiology” and “humanitarian” scale compared to male pharmacy students. No significant difference on any of the attitude scales due to “Course-of- Study” was found. For “Year in School,” first year students had significantly (p < .05) higher “physical/genetic” and “moral weakness” scores compared to last year students. First year medical students had higher physical/genetic and moral-weakness scores, first year nursing students had higher physical/genetic, and final year pharmacy students had higher psychological scores. For “Importance of Religion” (religiosity) those who were highly religious had significantly (p <.05) higher psychological, physical/genetic and moral weakness scores compared to those who did not consider religion important. Significantly higher scores among medical students for psychological, physical/genetic and moral weakness scales were found for very religious medical students. Very religious pharmacy students had higher psychological and humanitarian scales compared to non-religious students. CONCLUSION: First year students tended to be more negative on several scales which do not support other studies. Very religious students were more likely to believe that alcoholism is caused by physical-genetic and psychological problems. This was also found for very religious medical students. However, very religious students had more negative moralistic attitudes toward alcoholics and alcoholism. It was concluded that medical, nursing and pharmacy students need more education concerning alcoholism
DRINKING PATTERNS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WITH SCOTTISH, IRISH AND OTHER CAUCASIAN ANCESTRY
(1994-10) Engs, Ruth Clifford
Researchers looking at demographic differences in drinking tend to classify whites as just one category. However, some find that those from Celtic cultures have more alcohol abuse problems compared to other groups . Are different drinking patterns reflected among university students with ancestors of Celtic compared to other backgrounds? Thus the PURPOSE of this study was to investigate the drinking practices among students with Celtic ancestry.METHODS A sub-sample of 3,000 students from the 1993-1994 national sample of American college students collected by R.C. Engs, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN and D.J. Hanson, SUNY Potsdam, NY, were asked if they had Scottish or Irish or other ancestry. The Student Alcohol Questionnaire to assess drinking patterns and problems was used. RESULTS revealed that there was no difference in the Quantity/Frequency drinking levels between the groups. However, there was a significant difference ( p< .001) between the groups in terms of mean drinks consumed per week. Scheffe post-hoc test revealed that students with Irish ancestry consumed more drinks per week ( 14.0) compared to those with Scottish ( 11.6), both Scottish & Irish ( 8.7) and other Caucasian backgrounds( 11.1). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that possible diversity among white students in terms of drinking should be taken into consideration when designing research studies or planning alcohol education program. The category “white” might need to be broken down into various ethnic or combination of ethnic groups to obtain accurate information for alcohol education.
ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND MARIJUANA CONSUMPTION IN RELATION TO AGE, GENDER, AND COURSE OF STUDY AMONG SCOTTISH HELPING PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS
(1996-06) Engs, Ruth Clifford; van Teijlingen, Edwin
The Purpose of this descriptive study was to investigate the alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use patterns in post-secondary helping profession students in Scotland. Methods: An adaptation of the Queensland Alcohol and Drug Study Questionnaire, the Alcohol and Drug Questionnaire, was completed by helping profession students from 22 departments at universities and colleges in five Scottish cities. Results: The sample consisted of 949 males and 3117 females. As found in other studies, a significantly (p < .001) higher percent of males consumed alcohol, even if gender recommendations for safe limits were considered. Males were more likely to smoke and use marijuana, however, there was no difference in the quantity of tobacco consumed. For both males and females, the prevalence of alcohol and marijuana was highest two or three years before the maximum use of tobacco (students over 24 years of age). Male and female psychology students consumed the most marijuana. Psychology students, together with Nursing students, also, consumed the most tobacco. Gender (males), age (under 24), tobacco (use) and marijuana (use) were all significant, but weak, predictors of consumption over 21 drinks per week. For any cigarette consumption, significant predictors were gender (females), age (24 years and older), course of study (groups other than Medical and Education students), marijuana (use) and consuming over 21 drinks per week. Conclusions: In view of the increasing prevalence of tobacco over the university experience, especially among Nursing and Psychology students, health education for Scottish post-secondary helping professional students should expand from the recently introduced school programmes. This is of particular importance in view of the fact that smoking appears to be predictive of marijuana and heavy drinking at least among this sample of students.
IS THERE AN ASSOCIATION OF HEAVY DRINKING WITH ACUTE ILLNESS AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS IF SMOKING STATUS IS CONTROLLED?
(1993) Engs, Ruth Clifford; Aldo-Benson, Marlene
BACKGROUND: Smoking has been shown to be associated with a higher incidence of chronic diseases among older adults and acute illnesses among young adults. Heavy alcohol intake has been found to be associated with a higher incidence of chronic and acute diseases among older alcoholics PURPOSE: the purpose of the study was to determine if there was an association of acute illness and alcohol intake among a sample of college students if smoking is controlled. METHODS: The Health and Lifestyle Questionnaire was administered to a sample of 1,281 students in the 1991-1992 academic year to personal health classes at a large mid-western university. The questionnaire contains items concerning drinking, smoking, drug use, and lifestyle questions such as exercise, diet, etc. along with acute illnesses such as upper respiratory infections, gastro-intestinal and STDs. RESULTS: Although there was an association between smoking and drinking levels, there was no significant effect from smoking in terms of acute health problems. In addition, no increase in acute health issues or upper respiratory infections were found with students who consumed between one and 21 drinks per week. However, students drinking 28 or more alcoholic drinks per week had significantly more health problems; those drinking more than 22 drinks per week had more upper respiratory infections compared to the other students including nondrinkers. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that excessive alcohol intake alone increased the risk of respiratory infections and acute illnesses in this sample of college students, but more moderate alcohol consumption had little effect on the risk for these health problems.
DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH NON-CONSENSUAL SEX AMONG A NATIONAL SAMPLE OF STUDENTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION.
(1995-10) Engs, Ruth Clifford
The Purpose of this study was to assess descriptive information concerning non-consensual sex, sexual assault. or rape, in relationship to demographic variables and problems related to alcohol among a national sample of students and a sub-sample of students enrolled in health classes in order to provide information for curriculum development for health educators. This paper is part of a long term study of college student drinking patterns and problems by the presenter (R. C. Engs) and David J. Hanson. Methods: The Student Alcohol Questionnaire was administered to over 11,700 university students during the 1993 1994 academic year from 182 colleges and universities in every state. Of this sample 10,120 were drinkers and 5,926 students in the health classes sub-sample consumed alcohol at least once a year. Results: about 4% of those who drank had been involved I n non-consensual sex. Of all demographic variables among both samples, a significantly higher percent of students were involved in non-censual sexual activities if they consumed a large amount of alcohol. In addition a significant higher percent of those who had raped or been raped were at greater risk of experiencing personal, social, academic and legal problems associated with at risk or binge drinking. It was Recommended that health educators discuss the potential consequence of non-consensual sexual activities with their students. In addition recommendations of responsible drinking and choices concerning drinking also need to be given so students who chose to drink have some guidelines for safe drinking.
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.
DRINKING PATTERNS OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITY STUDENT: TESTING REDUCTION OF CONSUMPTION THEORY 1982-1994
(1994-10) Engs, Ruth Clifford
The PURPOSE of this descriptive cross-sectional study was to test the hypothesis that demographic variables are less important now than in the past in relationship to drinking behaviours among collegians in the United States. Also the purpose was to test Reduction of Consumption Theory by comparing students from the same or equivalent colleges and universities over five time periods beginning in 1982 from data collected in a long term study of college student drinking patterns and problems by the presenter (R. Engs) and David J. Hanson. METHODS: the Student Alcohol Questionnaire was administered to over 12,000 university students from every state during the 1993-1994 academic year. The SAQ had been administered to the same universities since 1982. The sample size was 10,247 in 1993 1994; 6,751 in 1990 1991; 6,872 in 1987 1988; 4,719 in 1984 1985; and 5,504 in 1982 1983. RESULTS: Among drinkers a significantly higher proportion of men, whites, under 21 year olds, Roman Catholics, individuals to whom religion was not important, those with low grade point averages, fraternity/sorority members, living in small communities, the North Eastern part of the United States, at private schools and colleges under 10,000 exhibited heavier drinking and a higher incidence of problems related to drinking. When the samples for the five time periods were assessed, the results showed a significant (p< .001) increase in the percent of abstainers (17.7 to 26.8) and a decrease in the mean number of drinks consumed per week among all students (14.3 to 13.1). There was a significant decrease in the percent of students who exhibited four drinking and driving related variables. On the other hand, a significant increase of most health/personal, social/academic, and legal/violent problems related to alcohol was found. In CONCLUSION the results do not support the hypothesis that few differences in drinking patterns would be found within traditional demographic variables due to societal changes. Likewise reduction, or control, of consumption theory was supported only for a decrease in drinking and driving variables and the mean amount of alcohol consumed.
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.

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