DRINKING GAMES AMONG MODERATE AND HEAVY DRINKERS: INFLUENCE OF DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES

Abstract

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.