Brittney A Hultgren1, Rob Turrisi2, Michael J Cleveland3, Kimberly A Mallett4, Racheal Reavy4, Mary E Larimer5, Irene M Geisner5, Michelle M Hospital6. 1. Center for the Study of Health and Risk Behaviors, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States. Electronic address: Hultgren@uw.edu. 2. Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States; Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States. 3. Department of Human Development, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States. 4. Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States. 5. Center for the Study of Health and Risk Behaviors, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States. 6. School of Integrated Science and Humanity, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: College student alcohol use remains a considerable concern. While many colleges provide universal interventions surrounding matriculation, trends indicate alcohol use increases over the college years. This study utilized a person-centered approach to examine changes in drinking across college and predictors (expectancies, attitudes, norms, and gender) of increases in risky drinking. Understanding transitions in drinking patterns and predictors of risky transitions can help identify risky students, periods of increased risk, and inform prevention efforts. METHOD: 1429 first-year students were recruited from three universities across the USA. Students were assessed in the fall of each of the four years of college using a wide variety of drinking-related measures. RESULTS: Latent transition analysis (LTA) identified five classes of students (Non-Drinkers, Weekend Light Drinkers, Weekend Heavy Drinkers, Occasional Heavy Episodic Drinkers, Heavy Drinkers). Heavy-Drinkers were not likely to move out of their status during all four years of college. All psychosocial factors were shown to predict class membership during the first year (e.g., higher positive expectancies were associated with greater likelihood of being in a higher risk class). Increased psychosocial risk factors also predicted transitioning to higher risk drinking classes, mostly for Non-Drinkers. Differences by gender were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate many students maintain or increase risky drinking practices, rather than mature out, suggesting continued need for early prevention. Targeting positive attitudes during the first year may be particularly important for later transitions. Males may benefit more from targeted intervention during the transition between third and fourth years.
OBJECTIVE: College student alcohol use remains a considerable concern. While many colleges provide universal interventions surrounding matriculation, trends indicate alcohol use increases over the college years. This study utilized a person-centered approach to examine changes in drinking across college and predictors (expectancies, attitudes, norms, and gender) of increases in risky drinking. Understanding transitions in drinking patterns and predictors of risky transitions can help identify risky students, periods of increased risk, and inform prevention efforts. METHOD: 1429 first-year students were recruited from three universities across the USA. Students were assessed in the fall of each of the four years of college using a wide variety of drinking-related measures. RESULTS: Latent transition analysis (LTA) identified five classes of students (Non-Drinkers, Weekend Light Drinkers, Weekend Heavy Drinkers, Occasional Heavy Episodic Drinkers, Heavy Drinkers). Heavy-Drinkers were not likely to move out of their status during all four years of college. All psychosocial factors were shown to predict class membership during the first year (e.g., higher positive expectancies were associated with greater likelihood of being in a higher risk class). Increased psychosocial risk factors also predicted transitioning to higher risk drinking classes, mostly for Non-Drinkers. Differences by gender were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate many students maintain or increase risky drinking practices, rather than mature out, suggesting continued need for early prevention. Targeting positive attitudes during the first year may be particularly important for later transitions. Males may benefit more from targeted intervention during the transition between third and fourth years.
Authors: Megan E Patrick; Yvonne M Terry-McElrath; Deborah D Kloska; John E Schulenberg Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2016-08-04 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Nancy P Barnett; Elise M Clerkin; Mark Wood; Peter M Monti; Tracy O'Leary Tevyaw; Donald Corriveau; Allan Fingeret; Christopher W Kahler Journal: J Stud Alcohol Drugs Date: 2014-01 Impact factor: 2.582
Authors: Clayton Neighbors; Christine M Lee; David C Atkins; Melissa A Lewis; Debra Kaysen; Angela Mittmann; Nicole Fossos; Irene M Geisner; Cheng Zheng; Mary E Larimer Journal: J Consult Clin Psychol Date: 2012-07-23