Playing Drinking Games as a Typical Form of Prepartying among Young Adults

Risky business: an examination of drinking games in college settings and their impact: a systematic review

This systematic review explores the prevalence and impact of Drinking Games (DG) among college students. DGs involve social drinking with the goal of heavy alcohol consumption and are associated with risky behaviours. The review aims to quantify the relationship between DG participation, alcohol consumption, and negative outcomes. It also investigates gender moderation and unexplored motivational factors for DG engagement. Following PRISMA guidelines, 34 studies were included after screening 317 records. The studies comprised n = 34,197 participants and were analysed for various variables, including gender dynamics, motivations, and associated negative consequences. Gender convergence in DG participation was noted, emphasizing the importance of gender-specific interventions. Participants were aware of risks but often perceived negative outcomes as a badge of honour. Motivations for DGs were linked to social interaction and a sense of belonging. Personality traits like sensation seeking and identification with college drinking culture played significant roles in DG engagement and outcomes. The review underscores the need for targeted interventions to address shifting perceptions of negative consequences and consider personality traits when designing preventive measures. It also highlights the significance of gender-specific strategies. However, variations in DG measurement and possible selection bias among heavy drinkers participating in DGs remain limitations. This systematic review provides insights into DG prevalence and its link to negative outcomes among college students. The findings stress the importance of tailored interventions and further research to mitigate risk factors and promote healthier drinking behaviours in this demographic.

Prologue to the special issue on predrinking and drinking game behaviors among adolescents and young adults in the United States and across the globe: Definitions and overview of prevalence rates

Predrinking and drinking games (DGs) are common risky drinking practices among adolescents and young adults in many different countries around the world. However, most studies on these behaviors have been conducted with university student samples in a limited number of countries. Despite the risks of negative alcohol-related consequences associated with predrinking and DGs, these activities are quite prevalent among young people. In this prologue, we provide definitions for predrinking and DGs and an extensive overview of the known prevalence rates of predrinking and DGs among young people around the world. This special issue addresses known gaps in the literature by including articles which (a) use differing methodologies to examine predrinking or DGs behavior, (b) consider psychosocial and contextual factors that influence these behaviors, and (c) examine young people's perceptions of alcohol policies and interventions. Taken together this Special Issue offers an international view on how and why young people around the world engage in these risky drinking practices, and potential ways to address these behaviors.

"It Breaks the Ice": A Qualitative Examination of Drinking Game Motives, Harms and Protective Behavioral Strategies among University Students in Australia

Background: Most research on drinking games (DG) behaviors and cognitions has been conducted among university students from the United States. Understanding why DGs are played, consequences and protective behavioral strategies (PBS) to reduce negative consequences is needed among Australian students. Objectives: In Australia, five focus groups (n=3-8) were held with 27 university students (63% female) aged 18-24 years who had played a DG in the past month. The study aimed to identify motives for playing DGs, consequences and adoption of PBS. Results: Four themes were identified: (1) social lubrication and conformity: playing to fit in; (2) community and camaraderie (perceived social benefits of DGs); (3) a means to an end (where getting drunk/predrinking was the goal and avoidance of PBS was prevalent); and (4) it is not a levelled playing field, which highlights that the risks are not equal for everyone. Conclusions: The interplay between DG motives, PBS and associated harms was identified. Expanding measurement of pre-existing DG motives and PBS is recommended, as well as the potential of DG motives to inform proposed interventions.