DRINKING PATTERNS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS OVER A SEVEN YEAR TIME PERIOD: The Effect of Raising the Drinking Age

Abstract

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.