Scheduled for Research Coordinating Board Poster Session II, Friday, April 28, 2006, 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM, Convention Center: Exhibit Hall Poster Area II


An Examination of Gender, Race and Classification Differences in Drinking Behaviors Among Student Athletes

Edward P. Hebert, Ralph J. Wood and Keri Diez, PhD, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA

Background and Significance: Alcohol use can lead to consequences such as illness, poor classroom performance, missed classes, property damage, risky sexual behavior, trouble with police, drinking and driving, and much more. Alcohol is one of the biggest problems facing colleges and universities today. It is the drug of choice for most college students and binge drinking is an ever-increasing problem on many college campuses. Being a student athlete brings with it additional stressors and places the athlete at an even greater risk. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine gender, race and classification differences in drinking behaviors among student athletes. Sample: Sample consisted of all the athletes at a Southern NCAA Division I University (N=211). All sports participated in this research (women's and men's basketball, golf, softball, baseball, football, tennis, volleyball, and soccer). The ages of the student athletes was 18-23 years old with a mean age of 20 years. In this study, 58 (28%) of the student athletes were female and 152 (72%) of them were male; 129 (61.4%) were white, 62 (29.5%) were black, and 19 (9%) were other; 73 (34.6%) were freshmen, 58 (27.5%) were sophomores, 49 (23.2%) were juniors, and 31 (14.7%) were seniors. Instrument: Adapted version of the National College Health Risk Behavior Survey (NCHRBS) that focused solely on alcohol use, tobacco and other drug use was utilized for this study. Data Analysis: Chi-square was performed on this data. Results: Significant differences were found between males and females in regard to drinking and driving, F (1, 211)=10.843, p<.05; race and drinking, F(1, 211)=44.527, p<.01; race and binge drinking, F(1, 211)=46.937, p<.01; and race and drinking and driving, F(1, 211)=16.332, p<.01. Summary of Results: Results show that during the last 30 days, males participated in drinking and driving behaviors significantly more than did females. Also, white student athletes drank on significantly more days than did black student athletes. White student athletes participated in binge drinking behaviors significantly more than did black student athletes. White student athletes are more likely to drive while they are drunk than the black student athletes. Learner Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation the participant will be able to: 1) Identify difference in alcohol consumption between male and female athletes, 2) Identify the difference in binge drinking behaviors based on race, 3) Identify prevention strategies to address these behaviors.

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