Social motives for drinking in students should not be neglected in efforts to decrease problematic drinking

A retrospective examination of changes in drinking motives during the early COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVE

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to substantial changes in college student alcohol use. Changes in drinking motives may explain some of these changes in drinking patterns. The purpose of the present study is to explore how drinking motives and alcohol use have changed amongst college students considering the timeframes before and after the onset of COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., March 2020) in the United States. We hypothesized that there would be significant changes in drinking motives after March 2020, which would be significantly related to changes in alcohol use.

METHODS

Participants for the current study were undergraduate students reporting lifetime alcohol use (n = 198, M_age = 21.3, 66.7% female, 86.4% White) recruited through online advertisements in classes to complete an online survey in April 2020. Participants were asked to report on their drinking motives and alcohol use considering the timeframes before and after the onset of closures and stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., before and since March 2020).

RESULTS

Paired samples t-tests revealed that endorsement of social (t[171) = 12.79, p < .001, d = 1.16) and conformity motives significantly decreased (t[170] = 4.46, p < .001, d = 0.31), while endorsement of coping motives significantly increased (t[172] = -2.70, p = .008, d = .15) after the onset of COVID-19. Linear regression analyses, controlling for drinking motives before March 2020, revealed that changes in enhancement (β = -.47, p < .001) and coping motives (β = -.22, p = .04) were significantly associated with changes in alcohol use quantity.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings of the present study support the need for interventions to target coping and social drinking to reduce risk for alcohol use.

A Qualitative Insight Into Factors Pertaining to Alcohol Consumption Among Young Adult Women During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Emerging research suggests young adults, in particular women, may be especially sensitive to changes associated with the COVID-19 outbreak. This study, which is part of an ongoing research project focusing on young adulthood and substance use during the UK COVID-19 lockdown, aimed to provide an in-depth snapshot of factors that young adult women may describe as influential in their alcohol consumption during this period. Virtual semi-structured interviews were carried out on a sample of 12 (23-25 years) women between April and May 2020. The data were analysed through thematic analysis and preliminary findings led to the identification of three themes: (1) Changes to working environment, (2) Limitations on social opportunities and efforts to socialise in a 'new normal', and (3) Effects of cohabitation on increased alcohol consumption. The preliminary findings of this study highlight factors relevant to changes in alcohol use during the COVID-19 outbreak in the UK.

Examining changes in drinking motives and their influence on drinking behaviors among heavy drinkers during their first year of college

Drinking motives are robustly related to alcohol use behavior from adolescence through young adulthood. Yet, examination of changes in motives during the first year of college, a transitional time associated with both onset of and increases in heavy drinking has been understudied. We examined (a) whether drinking motives change, (b) time-varying effects of motives on alcohol use and consequences, and (c) change in the strength of the association between motives and use and motives and consequences over the first year of college. A sample of 121 heavy drinking first-year students (50% female, 58% Caucasian) completed three assessments (baseline, 3 months, 6 months). Endorsement of social motives declined from 0 to 3 months, while endorsement of coping, enhancement, and conformity motives declined from 3 to 6 months. Social motives were positively associated with alcohol use and consequences across assessments. When motive × time interactions were tested in separate models, the strength of effects of coping motives on drinks per week increased from 0 to 3 months. The strength of the effect of coping and conformity motives on consequences increased from 0 to 3 months and then decreased from 3 to 6 months. Identifying how drinking motives evolve and relate to trajectories of alcohol use may help to understand the development of risky drinking behavior and inform intervention efforts.

Drinking to Fit in: The Effects of Drinking Motives and Self-Esteem on Alcohol Use among Female College Students

Over the past two decades, rates of alcohol use among female students have risen to meet or even surpass those seen among males. Yet, little is known about factors that play a role in the relationship between drinking motives and alcohol consumption for female college students. The present study examines self-esteem as a moderator in the association between categories of drinking motives and alcohol use in a sample of female college students. Participants included 196 female undergraduates who reported drinking alcohol at least once in the preceding month (M_age= 19.5 years, 88.8% White) at a northeastern public university. Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing self-esteem, drinking motives, and past month alcohol use. Self-esteem was significantly negatively correlated with coping (r=-.40, p<.001) and conformity motives (r=-.22, p=.002) but not enhancement or social motives. Main effects predicting alcohol use were detected for enhancement (b = 1.49, p<.001), coping (b = 1.73, p<.001), and social motives (b = 1.34, p<.001), but not conformity motives or self-esteem. The interaction of conformity motives and self-esteem was significant (b=-0.17, p=.04). Simple slopes analyses revealed that conformity motives were significantly positively related to alcohol consumption for at low (b = 1.53, p=.001), but not high levels (b=-0.39, p=.61) of self-esteem. No other interactions were significant. Assisting female college students with increasing their self-esteem may be an effective component of intervention programs targeting alcohol consumption, particularly among those who report drinking to fit in.

Social Support and the Rehabilitation of Alcohol-Impaired Drivers: Drinking Motives as Moderators

Alcohol-impaired driving is a common and costly public health problem associated with alcohol misuse. This investigation aims to understand the role of social support and drinking motives in motivating alcohol-impaired drivers to reduce alcohol use. One hundred nineteen participants with a history of driving-while-intoxicated arrest were recruited from either a correctional treatment facility (n = 59) or the community (n = 60) and asked about their motivation to change alcohol use. Motivation to change was tested in relationships with two types of social support (i.e. Abstinence-Specific Social Support and General Social Support) and drinking motives (Coping, Enhancement, and Social Motives). The results showed: (1) only Abstinence-Specific Social Support was positively associated with motivation to change; (2) Coping and Social Motives had a negative association with motivation to change; (3) the impact of Abstinence-Specific Social Support on motivation to change was greater among those with a stronger Enhancement Motives. In other words, those who drink primarily for pleasure showed a greater increase in motivation to change when more Abstinence-Specific Social Support is available, compared to those with lower Enhancement Motives. The findings of this investigation contribute to our knowledge of the roles of communication in the rehabilitation of alcohol-impaired drivers.

College students’ perspectives on an alcohol prevention programme and student drinking – A focus group study

Aim:

While there is considerable research on the efficacy of interventions designed to reduce alcohol consumption and related harms among college students, there is limited research on students’ own perspectives on such interventions. This qualitative study aimed to address this gap by examining college students’ perspectives in the context of an alcohol prevention programme for college students in Ireland.

Methods:

Focus groups were used as the means of data collection, and participants were selected using purposive sampling based on two criteria – type/location of college and category of student. A total of eight focus groups were conducted at two institutions taking part in the programme. Participants comprised four categories of student: undergraduates, mature students, international students and students who were members of clubs or societies. Results were analysed through the lens of a social-ecological framework.

Results:

The study findings indicated that students perceived alcohol as being endemic to college life and wider society. As a result, many of the students were sceptical or ambivalent regarding the potential efficacy of alcohol prevention programmes. Despite the perceived pervasiveness of alcohol, the study pointed to heterogeneity in drinking practices among the participants. Moreover, the study participants expressed divergent views when asked whose responsibility it was to control student alcohol consumption.

Conclusions:

Viewing the findings through a social-ecological lens, students seemed to collectively acknowledge the different layers of influence on student drinking, acknowledging the complex nature of this issue. Providing a greater variety of leisure spaces, including alcohol-free environments, was viewed particularly favourably by the student participants in terms of solutions proposed.

Motives for Alcohol and Marijuana Use as Predictors of Use and Problem Use Among Young Adult College Students

This study examined (a) differences between alcohol-only users and alcohol-marijuana co-users and (b) motives for use in relation to alcohol and marijuana use and problem use. Spring 2016 data among 1,870 past 4-month alcohol users (63.6% female, 69.1% White) from seven Georgia colleges/universities were analyzed cross-sectionally and with regard to problem use measured 4 months later. Correlates of co-use (n = 345; vs. alcohol-only use, n = 1,525) included greater alcohol and marijuana use frequency, problem drinking and marijuana use, and alcohol use motives (p's < .05). Controlling for covariates, alcohol use frequency correlated with greater marijuana use frequency and Coping and Self-enhancement alcohol use motives, but lower Conformity alcohol use motives (p's < .001); greater Coping and Self-enhancement alcohol use motives (p's < .01) predicted problem alcohol use. Marijuana use frequency correlated with greater Coping and Expansion marijuana use motives (p's < .05); greater Expansion marijuana use motives (p = .005) predicted problem marijuana use. College-based substance use interventions should target Coping and Self-enhancement alcohol use motives and Expansion marijuana use motives.

Alcohol expectancies change in early to middle adolescence as a function of the exposure to parental alcohol use

INTRODUCTION

The subjective effects of alcohol, i.e., alcohol expectancies (AE), are important predictors of alcohol use. This three-year longitudinal study examined: 1) the development of enhancement, social, coping, and conformity AE from age 10-16; 2) the association between parental alcohol use exposure and positive AE among adolescents and between exposure and changes in AE over the six month period and 3) the moderating effect of gender on the association between exposure and change in AE.

METHODS

A longitudinal study followed adolescents between 10-13-years old at baseline (N = 755; 45.6 % boys) in six months intervals for three years, resulting in seven measurements.

RESULTS

Adolescents most strongly endorsed enhancement AE. Social and coping AE dimensions positively increased over time. The estimated Multilevel Model of Change revealed that exposure to either fathers 'or mothers' alcohol use predicted an increase in social AE six months later (B = .129, SE = .032). Exposure to fathers' drinking predicted an increase in enhancement AE for boys (B = .075, SE = .031) but not for girls (B=-0.045, SE = .030). No associations between parental exposure and other AE dimensions were found.

CONCLUSION

The results add to previous studies in showing that the association between parental drinking behavior and offspring AE develops within short periods. Prevention should, therefore, include explicit guidelines for parents with respect to how their drinking behavior affect their offspring.

Binge eating and binge drinking behaviors: the role of family functioning

Binge eating and binge drinking are two of the most common health-risk behaviors among young people showing to frequently co-occur in nonclinical samples of adolescent boys and girls. The present study examined the role of different dimensions of family functioning in binge behaviors among adolescents. One thousand and twenty young to late adolescents (507 girls and 517 boys) with ages ranging from 16 to 22 years participated in the study and completed a survey of self-report measures. Our findings showed that adolescents who binge eat and drink and adolescents who only binge eat perceived a lower quality of family functioning with lower levels of cohesion, flexibility, communication, satisfaction and higher degree of disengagement compared to adolescents who do not binge and adolescents who only binge drink. Only adolescents who engage in both binge behaviors reported higher levels of chaotic style compared to other binge groups. Furthermore, living in families poorly flexible, highly disengaged and with communication problems among members resulted as risk factors for binge eating behavior. Results suggest the importance for prevention programs to be based on an integrated approach focused on improving family environment such as the ability in changing family structure to deal effectively with developmental problems and defining clear home rules adolescents may stand on.

Effects of Social and Outcome Expectancies on Hazardous Drinking among Chinese University Students: The Mediating Role of Drinking Motivations

Background and Objectives: Based on the theory of reasoned action, the present study investigated the relative effects of drinking outcome expectancies and parental norms, as well as the mediating effect of drinking motivations, on hazardous drinking in Chinese university students. Method: A sample of Chinese university students in Hong Kong and Macao (N = 973, M = 19.82, SD = 1.57, 48.9% males), who reported drinking in the past 3 months, voluntarily completed an anonymous questionnaire. Path analysis was used to test the effects of the variables on hazardous drinking. Results: All the psychosocial variables showed positive correlations with hazardous drinking. In the path model, controlling for sex, parental norms had both direct and indirect effects on hazardous drinking through social and enhancement motivations. Courage had the strongest indirect effect on drinking behavior through social, enhancement, and coping motivations, whereas the relationship between tension reduction and hazardous drinking was mediated by enhancement and coping motivations. Sociality and sexuality only had indirect effect through social and coping motivations respectively. Negative outcome expectancies had no direct nor indirect effects on hazardous drinking. Conclusions: Perceived approval from parents and positive alcohol outcome expectancies may enhance individuals' tendency to engage in hazardous drinking by increasing their motivation to drink to be social, for enjoyment, and to cope with problems. Parents should explicitly show their disapproval of their children's drinking, and education efforts should focus on decreasing positive outcome expectancies and associated motivations for drinking among Chinese university students.

Associations Between Peer Pressure and Adolescents' Binge Behaviors: The Role of Basic Needs and Coping

Framed from a framework based on the integration of self-determination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000 ) and Endler and Parker's (1990) conception of coping strategies, the authors analyzed the relationships between peer pressure and binge behaviors (binge eating and binge drinking) in adolescence. Moreover, the authors explored the mediating role of satisfaction/frustration of basic psychological needs and coping strategies in these associations. Participants were 570 high school students (M = 15.75 years, SD = 1.14 years) living in Italy. The study design was cross-sectional and adolescents were administered self-report questionnaires. Path analysis showed significant and positive direct associations of peer pressure with both binge eating and binge drinking. Moreover, findings show that there is an indirect path in which peer pressure is positively associated with need frustration that is related to the use of emotion-oriented coping strategies that, on their turn, are associated with binge eating. Differently, binge drinking seems to be only directly related to peer pressure. The authors put light to the complex nature of the relationships between peer pressure and binge behaviors in adolescence, taking into account the separate contribution of need satisfaction and need frustration, as well as of coping strategies. Finally, practical implications of the study are discussed.

Patterns of drinking alcohol and intentions to binge drink among medical students in Vietnam

Alcohol use is common among Vietnamese students. Previous qualitative findings showed Vietnamese medical students believed they were not binge drinkers while reporting many binge drinking occasions they participated in or witnessed. This dichotomy warrants examination. This study aims to establish drinking patterns and examine the factors underlying Vietnamese medical students' binge drinking intention and behaviour. This study used a prospective-correlational design, with two waves of data collection, drawing from established health behaviour models. At Time 1, 206 students completed the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, the standard Theory of Planned Behaviour measures (attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control) and their underlying beliefs, as well as group norm, role identity, drinking culture and past binge drinking behaviour. At Time 2, 156 medical students reported their binge drinking behaviour 2 weeks later. Only 6.8% of participants were classified as problematic drinkers and few participants reported binge drinking occasions at the 2-week follow-up. Perceived behavioural control, friends' group norms, role identity as future doctors, and past behaviour significantly predicted binge drinking intentions and key beliefs were identified. This study indicated Vietnamese medical students' limited engagement with binge drinking and identified key factors to address for those with risky drinking behaviour intentions.

Substance use and impaired driving prevalence among Francophone and Anglophone postsecondary students in Western Canada

INTRODUCTION

Substance use and impaired driving increase risk of motor vehicle crashes and deaths. Individual, socio-economic and -cultural factors are associated with these at-risk behaviors; however, little is known if differences exist between the Anglophone majority and minority Francophone populations in Canada. This article describes prevalence of substance use, impaired driving and driving practices by postsecondary student and compares Francophones and Anglophones with respect to these behaviors.

METHODS

Postsecondary students between 18 and 24 years attending a Francophone university in Western Canada completed a paper-based survey during class-time.

RESULTS

Prevalence of alcohol consumption, binge drinking and marijuana use in the past month were 88.6%, 64.2% and 22.7% respectively. Francophone participants were more likely to consume more alcohol, participate in drinking games, and consume marijuana during the past month than Anglophones. They were also more likely to report impaired-driving, speeding, distracted driving and being passenger in a motor vehicle driven by an impaired driver.

CONCLUSION

Awareness campaigns on campus highlighting the risks of substance use and unsafe driving practices should be strengthened and target Francophone students in linguistic minority communities.

Assessment of the Psychometric Properties of the Drinking Motives Questionnaire – Revised Among Irish Drinkers

Abstract. Motives ascribed to drinking represent an important area of investigation in alcohol research. The most commonly used measure is the 20-item Drinking Motives Questionnaire – Revised (DMQ-R: Cooper, 1994 ), which assesses four motives: Enhancement, Social, Coping, and Conformity. Although researchers in Europe have begun to assess the DMQ-R, to date, no published assessment has been undertaken among English-speaking, non-American samples. The current study addressed this omission by conducting exploratory ( N = 437) and confirmatory ( Ns = 437 and 344) factor analyses with Irish participants. A three-factor solution was optimal: Coping (four items), Conformity (five items), and Positive Motives (seven items). The need to conduct culturally specific psychometric testing is discussed as are directions for future research.

"It Just Kind of Happens": College Students' Rationalizations for Blackout Drinking

Nearly half of college students engage in binge drinking, and blackouts (i.e., episodes of periodic memory loss) represent one common consequence of this behavior. Although researchers have begun to understand the extent to which students black out, little is known about why they do so. We conducted two studies to further our understanding of this risky health behavior. In Study 1, we conducted face-to-face interviews (N = 19) to explore students' blackout experiences. Our findings suggest that students recognize that blacking out is an unhealthy behavior; however, because such a recognition contradicts group norms about alcohol consumption, it causes them to experience dissonance, which they manage via a variety of rationalization strategies. We investigated these findings more systematically through an online survey in Study 2, in which students (N = 254) reported on their own and others' beliefs and behaviors about blacking out. Our results indicate that many of the rationalization strategies students identified in Study 1 were grounded in fallacious reasoning. We discuss the collective implications of these findings for future interventions addressing students' excessive drinking behaviors.

Motives for drinking alcohol and eating palatable foods: An evaluation of shared mechanisms and associations with drinking and binge eating

BACKGROUND

Young adulthood is a high-risk period for heavy drinking and binge eating, both of which can impact weight and lead to obesity. Examining motives for drinking alcohol and eating palatable foods may facilitate a more integrated understanding of these behaviors during the college years. The current study tested whether shared or distinct (i.e., behavior-specific) motivational mechanisms may explain the occurrence of reward-driven drinking and eating in young adults.

METHODS

A sample of college freshmen (N = 103) stratified by sex, race/ethnicity, and heavy drinking status were selected to participate. Participants completed questionnaires measuring alcohol use, eating behavior, and motives assessed by the Drinking Motives Questionnaire-Revised and Palatable Eating Motives Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tested whether drinking and eating motives were better represented as single latent motives, or two behavior-specific motives. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the association between motivational factors and behaviors.

RESULTS

Behavior-specific CFA models demonstrated stronger model fit and higher factor loadings than single motive models. SEM models indicated that eating to cope with negative emotions, to enhance positive experiences, to obtain social reinforcement, and to conform with peers were significantly associated with binge eating (p values < .001). Enhancement and social drinking motives were significantly associated with number of weekly drinks (p values < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

While motives for drinking alcohol and eating palatable foods may satisfy common goals, findings suggest motivational mechanisms may be behavior-specific. Enhancement and social motives may be important factors to target in prevention programs for both drinking and binge eating.

Understanding adolescent binge drinking in Spain: how school information campaigns moderate the role of perceived parental and peer consumption

Despite its potentially harmful effects, adolescent binge drinking is becoming increasingly common worldwide. To enable the design of more effective school information campaigns, the underlying factors of heavy alcohol use must be carefully analysed. This study investigated how individual, social and contextual factors relate to adolescent binge drinking. It also explored whether adolescents' exposure to information campaigns at school moderates the relationships between perceived parental and peer alcohol consumption and adolescent binge drinking. We used data from a Spanish nationwide representative sample of 47 803 students aged 14-18 years, of whom 25 576 had engaged in binge drinking behaviours. Data were collected every 2 years between 2006 and 2012. For the multilevel estimation in 2012, the sample comprised 10 577 students. Whilst perceived problems associated with binge drinking and perceived difficulty in accessing alcohol were associated with low levels of binge drinking, adolescents' perceptions of parental and peer consumption were associated, to a greater degree, with high levels of binge drinking. School information campaigns moderated the relationship between parental consumption and adolescent binge drinking but not the relationship between peer consumption and adolescent binge drinking. We conclude by highlighting implications for policymakers and offering possible directions for future research.

Social Interaction Anxiety, Alexithymia, and Drinking Motives in Australian University Students

In young adults at university, social interaction anxiety has been linked to elevated risk of alcohol-related problems, as has alexithymia. The present study sought to assess whether social interaction anxiety is, like alexithymia, associated with the primary motive of drinking to cope with negative affect. There were 126 undergraduates (76 females, 50 males), aged 18-25 years, who were recruited from two southeast Queensland universities to complete validated self-report measures of problematic drinking, alexithymia, drinking motives, and social interaction anxiety. As predicted, social interaction anxiety was positively related to problematic drinking and coping motives for drinking. Alexithymia mediated the relationship of social interaction anxiety with coping motives. Findings were consistent with a developmental hypothesis of the links between social anxiety, alexithymia, and drinking motives. Given the cross-sectional design of the current study, longitudinal research is ultimately needed to confirm such interpretations of alexithymia and alcohol use among socially anxious young adults at university.

Understanding women's stories about drinking: implications for health interventions

Alcohol consumption poses significant health and safety risks to women. Understanding why women drink and how they experience drinking is the first step in creating efficacious interventions and effective social support programs. Presented here is a qualitative study examining stories women told about drinking on a blog: drinkingdiariesk.com. Eighty-nine stories categorized as 'in-depth, personal and insightful essays' were analysed and four narratives were identified about women's drinking in different stages in their lives: youth (narrative of good girl and narrative of bad girl), adulthood (narrative of pleasure) and old age (narrative of sin). Women constructed their relationships with alcohol in these different life stages, conforming to or rebelling against traditional gender roles. The narratives about drinking among young women and older women were inflicted with adultism and ageism. Practically, this study pointed out the specific stereotypes surrounding younger and older women with a drinking problem, which could inform future intervention campaigns about women's drinking.

Motivations and Consequences of Alcohol Use among Heavy Drinking Nonstudent Emerging Adults

Research suggests that nonstudent emerging adults may be at elevated risk for alcohol-related problems in adulthood. The present study utilized a qualitative approach to broaden our understanding of the drinking-related perceptions and experiences of heavy drinking nonstudents, with the ultimate goal of generating meaningful knowledge that could aid intervention planning. Research aims were to identify nonstudent (1) drinking motivations and (2) drinking consequences. Eleven focus groups were conducted (n = 64 participants). Data analytic techniques were used to code transcripts and generate themes emerging from the group data. Analyses revealed three main themes emerged regarding nonstudent reasons for drinking (i.e., emotional, social, enhanced experiences). Four prominent themes were identified for drinking consequences (i.e., physical health, psychological health, risk-taking, life functioning). Our findings underscore several considerations related to intervening with this at-risk and understudied population.

Who does not cut down? Comparing characteristics and drinking motives of drinkers and abstainers during the exam periods

OBJECTIVE

Drinking alcohol during the exams can affect academic performance and future career options, but is rarely investigated. Drinking motives, sociodemographics and personality characteristics are investigated in nonabstainers and weekly drinkers during the exams.

PARTICIPANTS

7,181 Belgian university students who anonymously responded to an email invitation to an online survey.

METHODS

Logistic regressions and mixed design analysis of variance on cross-sectional data.

RESULTS

One-third of the students continued drinking during the exams, with 40% drinking weekly. Nonabstainers were mainly men, elder, internally motivated when drinking, and housed with parents or independently. Weekly drinkers were similar, except mainly housed in student apartments or independently. Personality characteristics were nonsignificant. All drinking motives were less pronounced during the exams, with smaller differences for internal motives.

CONCLUSIONS

Mainly linked to internal drinking motives, drinking during the exams in higher education is underestimated. The characteristics and motives of students doing so can be used in future interventions.

Heavy Drinking in University Students With and Without Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Contributions of Drinking Motives and Protective Behavioral Strategies

This study examined rates of heavy drinking and alcohol problems in relation to drinking motives and protective behavioral strategies in university students with a documented current diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; n = 31) compared with students with no history of ADHD (n = 146). Participants completed a Web-based questionnaire, and logistic regression models tested interactions between ADHD/comparison group membership and motives and protective strategies. Group differences in rates of heavy drinking and alcohol problems were not statistically significant, but medium-sized risk ratios showed that students without ADHD reported heavy drinking at a rate 1.44 times higher than students with ADHD and met screening criteria for problematic alcohol use at a rate of 1.54 times higher than students with ADHD. Other key findings were, first, that drinking to enhance positive affect (e.g., drinking because it is exciting), but not to cope with negative affect (e.g., drinking to forget your worries), predicted both heavy drinking and alcohol problems. Second, only protective behavioral strategies that emphasize alcohol avoidance predicted both heavy drinking and alcohol problems. Contrary to expectations, we found no ADHD-related moderation of effects of motives or protective strategies on our alcohol outcomes. Results of this study are limited by the small sample of students with ADHD but highlight tentative similarities and differences in effects of motives and strategies on drinking behaviors and alcohol problems reported by students with and without ADHD.

Web-Based Alcohol Intervention: Study of Systematic Attrition of Heavy Drinkers

BACKGROUND

Web-based alcohol interventions are a promising way to reduce alcohol consumption because of their anonymity and the possibility of reaching a high numbers of individuals including heavy drinkers. However, Web-based interventions are often characterized by high rates of attrition. To date, very few studies have investigated whether individuals with higher alcohol consumption show higher attrition rates in Web-based alcohol interventions as compared with individuals with lower alcohol consumption.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to examine the attrition rate and predictors of attrition in a Web-based intervention study on alcohol consumption.

METHODS

The analysis of the predictors of attrition rate was performed on data collected in a Web-based randomized control trial. Data collection took place at the University of Konstanz, Germany. A total of 898 people, which consisted of 46.8% males (420/898) and 53.2% females (478/898) with a mean age of 23.57 years (SD 5.19), initially volunteered to participate in a Web-based intervention study to reduce alcohol consumption. Out of the sample, 86.9% (781/898) were students. Participants were classified as non-completers (439/898, 48.9%) if they did not complete the Web-based intervention. Potential predictors of attrition were self-reported: alcohol consumption in the last seven days, per week, from Monday to Thursday, on weekends, excessive drinking behavior measured with the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), and drinking motives measured by the Drinking Motive Questionnaire (DMQ-R SF).

RESULTS

Significant differences between completers and non-completers emerged regarding alcohol consumption in the last seven days (B=-.02, P=.05, 95% CI [0.97-1.00]), on weekends (B=-.05, P=.003, 95% CI [0.92-0.98]), the AUDIT (B=-.06, P=.007, 95% CI [0.90-0.98], and the status as a student (B=.72, P=.001, 95% CI [1.35-3.11]). Most importantly, non-completers had a significantly higher alcohol consumption compared with completers.

CONCLUSIONS

Hazardous alcohol consumption appears to be a key factor of the dropout rate in a Web-based alcohol intervention study. Thus, it is important to develop strategies to keep participants who are at high risk in Web-based interventions.

Binge eating and binge drinking among adolescents: The role of drinking and eating motives

This study aimed to investigate the motivations underlying binge eating and binge drinking in a sample of 302 adolescents. Our findings showed that binge eating was significantly correlated with gender, environmental, emotional, and social eating. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that emotional and environmental eating were significant positive predictors of binge eating, whereas binge drinking was significantly correlated with enhancement, social, and coping motives. Only enhancement motives were significant predictors of binge drinking. Our results support the argument that the reasons underlying binge eating and binge drinking in adolescents may be similar and may perform the same function.

Perceived determinants to alcohol consumption and misuse: a survey of university students

Aim:

Before an attempt is made to develop any population-specific behavioural change programme, it is important to know what the factors that influence behaviours are. The aim of this study was to identify what are the perceived determinants that attribute to young people’s choices to both consume and misuse alcohol.

Method:

Using a descriptive survey design, a web-based questionnaire based on the Theory of Triadic Influence was administered to students aged 18–29 years at one university in Northern Ireland.

Results:

Out of the total respondents ( n = 595), knowledge scores on alcohol consumption and the health risks associated with heavy episodic drinking were high (92.4%, n = 550). Over half (54.1%, n = 322) cited the Internet as their main source for alcohol-related information. The three most perceived influential factors of inclination to misuse alcohol were strains/conflict within the family home ( M = 2.98, standard deviation ( SD) = 0.18, 98.7%, n = 587), risk taking/curiosity behaviour ( M = 2.97, SD = 0.27, 97.3%, n = 579) and the desire not to be socially alienated ( M = 2.94, SD = 0.33, 96%, n = 571). Females were statistically significantly more likely to be influenced by desire not to be socially alienated than males (  p = .029). Religion and personal reasons were the most commonly cited reasons for not drinking.

Conclusion:

Future initiatives to reduce alcohol misuse and alcohol-related harms need to focus on changing social normative beliefs and attitudes around alcohol consumption and the family and environmental factors that influence the choice of young adult’s alcohol drinking behaviour. Investment in multi-component interventions may be a useful approach.

Binging at the campus: Motivations and impulsivity influence binge drinking profiles in university students

This study explored the involvement of two key psychological factors, drinking motives and impulsivity traits, in binge drinking. On the basis of a large screening phase (N=4424), 867 binge drinkers were selected and were first compared with 924 non-binge drinkers. Then, a cluster analysis was performed, focusing on the binge drinker sample, to explore the respective involvement of four drinking motives (DMQ-R model) and four impulsivity facets (UPPS model) in this habit. Centrally, the cluster analysis identified three clusters of binge drinkers presenting distinct psychological characteristics and alcohol consumption patterns: emotional, recreational, and hazardous binge drinkers. Hazardous binge drinkers were characterized by strong drinking motives but moderate impulsivity. Binge drinking should thus no more be considered as a unitary drinking pattern but rather as a habit encompassing a variety of psychological profiles. Moreover, risky drinking habits in young people might be mainly related to disproportionate drinking motives. Future studies should thus consider binge drinking heterogeneity, and prevention programs focusing on drinking motivations should be developed.

Alcohol use variability in a community-based sample of nonstudent emerging adult heavy drinkers

BACKGROUND

While nonstudent emerging adults are at elevated risk for experiencing alcohol-related problems, there remains a paucity of research devoted specifically to addressing drinking in this group.

OBJECTIVES

The present study sought to offer unique insights into nonstudent drinking by examining drinking variability across 30 days using a retrospective diary method. Specific aims were to: (1) compare within- and between-person variability in alcohol use across 30 days, and (2) determine the extent to which central social-cognitive between-person factors (i.e., social expectancies, perceived drinking norms, social drinking motivations) predict between-person alcohol use as well as within-person variability in drinking.

METHODS

Participants were 195 (65.1% men) nonstudent emerging adults recruited from the community with a mean age of 21.9 (SD = 2.1) years.

RESULTS

Findings showed that a substantial portion of variation in daily alcohol consumption was attributable to the within-person (83%) rather than between-person (17.2%) level. Social expectancies, perceived drinking norms, and social motives were found to influence variability in daily alcohol consumption.

CONCLUSION

Our findings contribute to knowledge that could guide efforts to design and tailor intervention strategies to minimize the harms experienced by an understudied and at-risk population of drinkers.

Alcohol attitudes, motives, norms, and personality traits longitudinally classify nondrinkers, moderate drinkers, and binge drinkers using discriminant function analysis

INTRODUCTION

Binge drinking is commonly defined in the literature as consuming at least 5 drinks for males and 4 drinks for females. These quantities correspond to approximately a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%, the level of intoxication making it illegal to drive in the United States.

METHODS

The study scrutinized the longitudinal classification of three drinker types using male (n=155) and female (n=351) college students. Measures of personality (sensation seeking, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness), alcohol attitudes, alcohol motivations (social, coping, enhancement, and conformity), and alcohol social norms (typical students, friends, closest friends, and parents) were administered at Time 1. Drinker type (nondrinkers, moderate drinkers, or binge drinkers) was assessed one month later.

RESULTS

Discriminant function analyses revealed that the set of measures statistically distinguished among the three drinker types. The first function was significant and yielded high loadings for attitudes, social motives, enhancement motives, coping motives, closest friend norms, and friend norms for both genders. Model classification accuracy was 73% for the male and 67% female samples. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) compared mean differences in a 2 (gender: males or females)×3 (drinker type: nondrinkers, moderate drinkers, or binge drinkers) design. Measures systematically differing across all pairwise comparisons of the three drinker types, starting from the strongest effect (eta-squared), were as follows: alcohol attitudes, social motives, enhancement motives, closest friend norms, friend norms, coping motives, sensation seeking, and extraversion.

CONCLUSIONS

Attitude, motivation, and norm variables tended to be more important than personality in distinguishing drinker types. Considering the malleability of attitudes and belief motivations, the risk variables of alcohol attitudes, social motives, and enhancement motives identified in this research warrant consideration in prevention and campaign efforts targeting problematic drinking.

Do drinking motives distinguish extreme drinking college students from their peers?

OBJECTIVE

The literature highlights the need to move beyond the traditional heavy episodic ("binge") drinking criteria when trying to identify at-risk college drinkers. Thus, recent attention has focused on more extreme levels of drinking. This study examines whether drinking motives can distinguish college student extreme drinkers from lighter drinkers.

METHOD

We used data from 3518 college student current drinkers (63.4% women) who participated in eight different studies at five different college campuses across the United States; a subsample of these students was followed up at 6months post-baseline. At baseline and follow-up, drinkers were divided into three groups: nonbinge drinkers (<4 drinks for women and 5 for men on their maximum drinking occasion), binge drinkers (4-7 drinks for women; 5-9 for men), and extreme drinkers (8+ for women and 10+ for men).

RESULTS

At baseline, extreme drinkers, compared to nonbinge and binge drinkers, reported greater social, enhancement, and coping motives, as well as greater quantity and frequency of drinking per week and more alcohol-related problems. Those who were not extreme drinkers at baseline and later became extreme drinkers at follow-up reported significantly greater increases in social and enhancement motives, compared to those who remained nonextreme drinkers. Those who were extreme drinkers at baseline and reduced their drinking 6months later, compared to those who remained extreme drinkers, reported greater reductions in enhancement and coping motives.

CONCLUSIONS

Focusing on drinking motives might be an efficacious target for preventive intervention programs to reduce extreme drinking among college students.

Context matters: Student-perceived binge drinking norms at faculty-level relate to binge drinking behavior in higher education

BACKGROUND

Binge drinking in higher education is an important problem. To target binge drinking in students it is necessary to study the social context of students. Faculties (i.e., colleges or schools in Northern American education) are social contexts in which students behave, but little is known about how the faculty structure relates to monthly binge drinking. This study investigates the relationship with student-perceived binge drinking norms at faculty-level in addition to known personal determinants.

METHODS

Data were collected in 7181 students within 22 faculty-level units, using an anonymous online survey. Multilevel analyses were used to investigate the relationship of both individual-level determinants (e.g., perceived norms, social drinking motives) and student-perceived binge drinking norms at faculty-level on monthly binge drinking.

RESULTS

Two-third (62.2%) of the sample were female and the mean age was 21.06 (SD=2.85) years. In males, significant faculty-level variance in monthly binge drinking was found. At faculty-level, only same-sex student-perceived binge drinking norms showed a positive relationship (OR=2.581; 95%CI=[1.023,6.509]). At individual level, both opposite- and same-sex perceived binge drinking norms, and social drinking motives positively related to monthly binge drinking. In females, no significant faculty-level variance was found. Only individual-level determinants positively related to monthly binge drinking. No cross-level interactions were found.

CONCLUSION

Besides individual determinants, especially in men, faculties are relevant environmental structures and networks to take into account when targeting binge drinking in higher education.

Higher-Order and Bifactor Models of the Drinking Motives Questionnaire

The Drinking Motives Questionnaire, previously postulated and documented to exhibit a measurement structure of four correlated factors (social, enhancement, conformity, and coping), is a widely administered assessment of reasons for consuming alcohol. In the current study ( N = 552), confirmatory factor analyses tested the plausibility of several theoretically relevant factor structures. Fit indices corroborated the original four-factor model, and also supported a higher-order factor model involving a superordinate motives factor that explicated four subordinate factors. A bifactor model that permitted items to double load on valence type (positive or negative reinforcement) and source type (external or internal) generated mixed results, suggesting that this 2 × 2 motivation paradigm was not entirely tenable. Optimal fit was obtained for a bifactor model depicting a general factor and four specific factors of motives. Latent factors derived from this structure exhibited criterion validity in predicting frequency and quantity of alcohol usage in a structural equation model. Findings are interpreted in the context of theoretical implications of the instrument, alternative factor structures of drinking motives, and assessment applications.

Changes in Drug Use Among Belgian Higher Education Students: A Comparison Between 2005, 2009, and 2013

BACKGROUND

Most drug users initiate illicit drug use during adolescence and young adulthood. Although in the general population a trend towards a decrease in drug use can be seen, patterns of drug use among students are unclear.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study was to look at drug use patterns among students in higher education in Belgium.

METHODS

A survey study in Antwerp (Belgium) was conducted on three occasions (2005, 2009, and 2013) at several institutes for higher education. Students (total sample size 24,478; 29,210, and 31,950, respectively) were asked if they had used legal or illicit drugs in the past year. To compare whether drug use differed between the separate years, χ(2)-tests were performed on past-year drug use for all three time points. If significant, χ(2)-tests between pairs were performed. Gender and age differences were also analyzed.

RESULTS

The use of nondistilled alcohol, spirits, and cannabis decreased during this period but no change in student's use patterns was seen for beer, wine, sedative hypnotics, stimulating medication, XTC, cocaine, or amphetamines. Tobacco use decreased initially, but increased in 2013. More men indicated having used drugs in the past year than women. Only for cannabis did more younger students indicate having used in the past year.

CONCLUSIONS/IMPORTANCE

The data from this study could provide valuable insights for academic and governmental bodies and health care professionals into the use of drugs by higher education students since this subgroup shows specific use patterns.

Exploration of the Independent and Joint Influences of Social Norms and Drinking Motives on Korean College Students' Alcohol Consumption

Understanding what types of social norms are more or less influential and how they operate with respect to other psychological variables can provide valuable insights into the design of effective social norm campaigns. To this end, this study explores the roles of two types of social norms (injunctive norms and descriptive norms) and two types of drinking motives (social motives and conformity motives) in collegiate drinking behavior in South Korea. A survey of Korean college students (N = 569) revealed significant positive effects of injunctive norms, descriptive norms, and social motives on students' drinking frequency and quantity. Conformity motives were positively related to the frequency of drinking but negatively related to the quantity of drinking. Furthermore, the results revealed significant effects of the interactions between descriptive norms and social motives (on both the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption), such that the positive effect of descriptive norms was more pronounced among individuals with stronger social motives. A similar pattern was observed in the interaction between injunctive norms and conformity motives (on frequency). Theoretical and practical implications of the findings for social norm campaigns seeking to curb drinking among college students are discussed.

Association between protective behavioral strategies and problem drinking among college students in the Republic of Korea

OBJECTIVE

The literature indicates that protective behavioral strategies (PBS) have been effective in addressing problem drinking among college students. However, the effects of PBS on problem drinking have not been thoroughly investigated among Korean college students. Thus, the two study aims were to (a) examine drinking behavior among Korean college students and (b) investigate the effects of PBS on problem drinking.

METHODS

A pilot study was first conducted to obtain information needed to determine a sample size and to examine the understandability and reliability of seven instruments. The instruments were then used to collect data from full-time college students (N=479). The data were analyzed using (a) descriptive statistics such as frequencies and means for the first aim and (b) multivariate logistic regression for the second aim.

RESULTS

Approximately 93% of the respondents had drunk alcohol during the month before the survey, and 72.7% were problem drinkers. The use of PBS significantly decreased the odds of problem drinking (odds ratio [OR]=0.90 [95% CI, 0.87-0.93]). In addition, male gender and positive alcohol expectancy were associated with increased odds of problem drinking (ORs=3.32 [95% CI, 1.59-6.94] and 1.04 [95% CI, 1.01-1.08]), whereas greater age of drinking onset was associated with decreased odds of problem drinking (OR=0.81 [95% CI, 0.70-0.94]).

CONCLUSIONS

Given the prevalence of the drinking problem among Korean college students, it is important to develop and implement interventions that will encourage students to use PBS in order to avoid problem drinking and its negative consequences.

Development and initial validation of the Drunkorexia Motives and Behaviors scales

Drunkorexia, or restricting calorie intake on days when alcohol consumption is planned, is a trend among college students. The purpose of the present study is to develop a measure of motivations for drunkorexia before, during, and after alcohol consumption. College students (n=349, Mage=20.71years) completed an online survey including the Drinking Motives Questionnaire-Revised, the Eating Attitudes Test-26, and various drunkorexia items. A multidimensional measure of drunkorexia motives was developed through an iterative measurement development process. The first scale assesses drunkorexia motivations and behaviors through two subscales: Drunkorexia Motives and Drunkorexia Behaviors. The second scale assesses behaviors when drunkorexia is planned, but for various reasons, the individual did not restrict calories prior to alcohol consumption. The third measure examines restrictive drinking behaviors during an alcohol consumption event. The final scale measures compensatory behaviors after an alcohol consumption event. The newly developed measures relate to other established eating disorder and alcohol measures. Specifically, drunkorexia motives seem to be derived from conformity drinking motives. Male students report higher levels of drunkorexia motives and consuming alcohol when drunkorexia fails. The newly developed measures provide an additional perspective on the drunkorexia literature.

The influence of parental drinking on offspring's drinking motives and drinking: a mediation analysis on 9 year follow-up data

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The influence of parental drinking on offspring's drinking is well-documented. However, longitudinal evidence on the mediating role of drinking motives in this relationship is lacking. This study longitudinally investigates the mediating role of drinking motives in the relationship between parental and offspring's drinking.

METHODS

Using a prospective design, 587 Flemish children (response 30.0%) were followed for 9 years. Parental drinking was documented during the offspring's late childhood (10 and 11 years old) through paper-and-pencil questionnaires distributed by schools. The offspring's drinking habits and -motives were documented in early adulthood (18 and 19 year old) through a web-based questionnaire; invitations were sent by letter. Motives were measured using the Drinking Motives Questionnaire Revised Short-form, and mediation analyses were conducted with the product of coefficient test using bootstrapping.

RESULTS

Half the offspring were female (53.8%) and the mean age was 19.35 (SD = 0.52) years. A significant direct effect of maternal drinking during childhood on offspring drinking nine years later was found (β = 0.091, t = 2.071, p = 0.039). However, the association turned non-significant after stratifying the model for boys and girls. No direct effect was found for paternal drinking on offspring's drinking. Nevertheless, paternal drinking indirectly affected offspring's drinking through offspring's enhancement motives (β = 0.041, 95%CI[0.004, 0.082]) and maternal drinking indirectly affected male offspring's drinking through offspring's social motives (β = 0.067, 95%CI[0.007, 0.148]).

CONCLUSION

These results show that parental drinking during late childhood relates to a high level of those drinking motives among young adults that are known risk factors for heavy drinking in early adulthood.

Predicting students' intention to use stimulants for academic performance enhancement

BACKGROUND

The non-medical use of stimulants for academic performance enhancement is becoming a more common practice among college and university students.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to gain a better understanding of students' intention to use stimulant medication for the purpose of enhancing their academic performance. Based on an extended model of Ajzen's theory of planned behavior, we examined the predictive value of attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, psychological distress, procrastination, substance use, and alcohol use on students' intention to use stimulants to improve their academic performance.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 3,589 Flemish university and college students (mean age: 21.59, SD: 4.09), who participated anonymously in an online survey conducted in March and April 2013. Structural equation modeling was used to investigate the relationships among the study variables.

RESULTS

Our results indicate that subjective norm is the strongest predictor of students' intention to use stimulant medication, followed by attitude and perceived behavioral control. To a lesser extent, procrastinating tendencies, psychological distress, and substance abuse contribute to students' intention. Conclusions/ Importance: Based on these findings, we provide several recommendations on how to curtail students' intention to use stimulant medication for the purpose of improving their academic performance. In addition, we urge researchers to identify other psychological variables that might be related to students' intention.

The influence of depressed mood on action tendencies toward alcohol: the moderational role of drinking motives

BACKGROUND

Research suggests that depressed mood is associated with alcohol-related problems, though its relation with drinking behavior has been inconsistent across studies. Efforts to better understand the link between depressed mood and alcohol use have examined drinking motives as a potentially important moderating variable. The current study sought to examine whether drinking motives moderate the influence of depressed mood on alcohol-related action tendencies. Based on Baker, Morse, and Sherman's (1986) positive and negative reinforcement schema model, two competing moderational hypotheses regarding the influence of depressed mood on appetitive responses for alcohol were tested.

METHODS

One hundred and sixty-nine college student drinkers completed assessments of drinking motives and alcohol use. Subjects were exposed to a neutral or depressed mood induction followed by a computerized measure of action tendencies toward alcohol stimuli.

RESULTS

Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine whether the influence of depressed mood on action tendencies toward alcohol was moderated by drinking motives. Results showed that there was a significant interaction between mood induction condition and enhancement motives, such that depressed mood appeared to suppress appetitive responding toward alcohol among those with higher enhancement motives. In contrast, there was no evidence that coping motives moderated the association between mood and appetitive response to alcohol.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that inhibiting affect states associated with one's motivational disposition for drinking may result in the devaluation of alcohol. Limitations and implications are discussed.

Comparação do uso de drogas entre universitários brasileiros, norte-americanos e jovens da população geral brasileira

OBJETIVO: Comparar o uso de drogas entre os universitários e a população geral brasileira, assim como com os universitários norte-americanos, identificando possíveis diferenças de uso pela interferência da cultura. MÉTODOS: Para comparar o uso de drogas na vida entre as populações de interesse, foram utilizados os dados públicos de levantamentos estatísticos brasileiros realizados com universitários e a população geral, assim como levantamento estatístico norte-americano, por meio da comparação de intervalos de confiança (IC 95%). RESULTADOS: O uso de drogas na vida é mais frequente entre os estudantes norte-americanos, que relatam usar mais tabaco, tranquilizantes, maconha, ecstasy, alucinógenos, cocaína, crack e heroína que os universitários brasileiros. Em contrapartida, os universitários brasileiros relatam usar quase duas vezes mais inalantes do que os universitários norte-americanos. Esse padrão se repete ao se analisarem as diferenças intragênero. A isso se soma que os universitários brasileiros parecem envolver-se com mais frequência no uso de bebidas alcoólicas, maconha, tranquilizantes, inalantes, alucinógenos e anfetamínicos que seus pares da população geral brasileira. CONCLUSÕES: Conhecer as particularidades do uso de drogas entre os universitários é de suma importância para a detecção precoce desse consumo. Investimentos nesse segmento e diferenças de sexo devem ser contempladas nas políticas preventivas, assim como na elaboração de estratégias para a redução e o controle desse consumo, como programas de triagem e intervenção breve, uma vez que possuem a melhor relação custo-benefício.