Comparison is made between drinking patterns and opinions on alcohol consumption and family and social backgrounds of college students. (JD)

Reasons for excessive drinking among college students are discussed, and counseling approaches designed to resolve these underlying problems are suggested. (Editor)

The development of a group therapy program for the treatment and prevention of alcoholism on a college campus is described. (JD)

Examines a radical change in policy enforcement and sanctions regarding alcohol use on the campus of the University of Rhode Island; describes the implementation of that policy over an eight-semester period. Evaluation of the policy revealed an increase in violations addressed and a decrease both in more serious violations and in repeat offenders.…

Examines patterns of alcohol use at a mid-South state university so as to discover the reasons students (N=403) endorse for not drinking on those occasions when they chose not to drink. Results indicate that safety needs, the risk of underage drinking, the affordability of alcohol, and religiosity all contributed to decisions not to drink. (RJM)

Using dramatic media presentations, explores issues surrounding the absence of negative consequences in alcohol consumption. Results based on 211 participants indicate that exposure to portrayals of alcohol drinking with negative consequences elicits the least favorable attitudes toward drinking. Exposure to the same presentation, without the…

Compares the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of three measures of excessive drinking. Participants' (N=197) responses indicate that the positive predictive values for the Quantity-Frequency Index (QFI) exceeded those for the binge index. The index produced the highest sensitivity rating, but overestimated the number of…

Investigated gender differences in the motivation for alcohol use in a sample of 240 Nigerian undergraduates, ranging in age from 17-24 years. Males were more likely to drink for psychological and social reasons than females. Females, however, were more likely than males to drink only at parties. (RJM)

Assigned 1,426 university students to four intervention groups. A "norm-setting" intervention program--used to study perceptions and expectations of drinking--was of chief interest. This group was associated with the greatest reductions in the drinking norms attributed to the student body, close friends, living groups, and parents. (RJM)

Anonymous questionnaires administered to 1283 middle school/high school students and 930 college students revealed that most of these students viewed all types of alcohol intervention programs as somewhat effective in reducing alcohol abuse among youth. Analyses revealed that drinking motivations and behavior produced a significant effect on the…

Of 272 students surveyed, 46% reported using fake identification to obtain alcohol. Fraternity or sorority members were much more likely than other students to report using false identification to obtain alcohol. Results indicate a strong correlation among peers, frequency of drinking, and using fake identification. (RJM)

Examined the relationships between individuals' intentions to drink and their actual alcohol consumption. Two studies revealed that male college students were able to match closely their intended level of intoxication and their actual degree of intoxication. Results suggest that behavioral intentions can be used to customize alcohol-related…

Surveyed 12,000 university students from every state to determine drinking patterns. Significant differences in drinking patterns for all demographic groups were apparent. There were no differences in consumption and no differences in drinking-related problems when looking at age, type of school, and school size. Other findings are discussed. (RJM)

Examines the relationship between level of alcohol consumption and self-esteem for college males and females. Study of 130 males and 130 females at a major state university indicates that this relationship was moderated by gender, with females at greater risk for low self-esteem associated with heavy alcohol consumption. (RJM)

Examines the incidence of driving under the influence (DUI) one year prior to, and one year following the partial lifting of a complete Sunday sales ban on alcohol. Data did not reveal a statistically significant increase in DUIs. Results suggest that limited alcohol consumption does not increase alcohol-impaired driving. (RJM)