ERIC Number: EJ1171635
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0146-3934
EISSN: N/A
Facebook Age Display and Alcohol Use among College Students
Wilner, Molly; Kerr, Bradley; Moreno, Megan
College Student Journal, v52 n1 p167-176 Spr 2018
Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Facebook age presentation, Facebook alcohol displays, and alcohol related risk factors among college students. Methods: Students from two universities in the United States enrolled and accepted a researcher's Facebook friend request. Participant's Facebook profiles were evaluated for age and alcohol displays throughout their first year of college. Participants were interviewed regarding their alcohol use. Analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi square test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and Wilcoxon sign rank. Results: The 296 participants were 56.6% female, 75.4% Caucasian. Profiles were categorized as Age Displayers (42.4%), Age Concealers (41.4%), and Age Display Changers (16.2%). Facebook alcohol displays were not associated with age display (p = 0.95). Age Display Changers reported drinking initiation at an earlier age than Age Displayers (p = 0.04). Age Display Changers were significantly more likely to binge drink compared to both Age Displayers and Age Concealers (p<0.001). Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate a relationship between alcohol use risk factors and inconsistent age display on Facebook. Facebook age display patterns could serve as an additional indicator of problem alcohol use.
Descriptors: Social Media, Drinking, Alcohol Abuse, Age, Risk, Predictor Variables, Universities, Statistical Analysis, Social Networks, Alcoholism, Scores, Comparative Analysis, College Freshmen, At Risk Students, High School Graduates, Interviews
Project Innovation, Inc. P.O. Box 8508 Spring Hill Station, Mobile, AL 36689-0508. Tel: 251-343-1878; Fax: 251-343-1878; Web site: http://www.projectinnovation.biz/csj.html
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (DHHS)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: R01DA031580