Scheduled for Research Consortium Health Poster Session, Thursday, March 15, 2007, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM, Convention Center: Exhibit Hall Poster Area I


Alcohol-Related Social and Personal Problems of Undergraduate College Students

Ronald D. Williams, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO and Donald Belcher, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

For years, universities have dealt with the problem of alcohol abuse among college students. Research has identified multiple consequences and problems associated with alcohol misuse on campus. This study seeks to determine both personal and social problems associated with alcohol use among college students, as well as recognizing characteristics that may encourage these problems. At total of 286 undergraduate students completed the revised College Alcohol Problem Scale in various sections of undergraduate health and human performance courses. The participants were grouped into demographics of gender, age, ethnicity, and extracurricular activity and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 11.5. Results show that males have higher rates of social alcohol problems such as unplanned sex (p°Ü.001), unprotected sex (p°Ü.001), driving under the influence (p=.002), and participating in illegal activities (p=.006). Students involved in Greek organizations or intercollegiate athletics show similar patterns; unplanned sex (p°Ü.001), unprotected sex (p=.002), driving under the influence (p=.025), and participating in illegal activities (p=.012). No consistent patterns of significance for social problems were found among gender or extracurricular activity. Regarding alcohol related personal problems, there was no significance among any demographic variable. In addition to general alcohol education, health educators should develop specific programs addressing social consequences of alcohol use among males, Greek students, and college athletes.
Keyword(s): college level issues, health education college/univ, health promotion

Back to the 2007 AAHPERD National Convention and Exposition (March 13 -- 17, 2007)