Background/Purpose
The problems associated with college-age drinking are rampant and well known. Unfortunately, little is known about the precursors or outcomes of high school alcohol consumption. The central question of this study was to determine the extent of high school alcohol consumption and the relationships between high school and college-age drinking.
Method
A 20-item questionnaire was used to determine the extent of high school alcohol consumption of 509 college students attending a large state university. Participants volunteered to respond to the survey.
Analysis/Results
Thirty percent of the participants reported having consumed alcoholic beverages while attending high school. Chi-square indicated a difference based on gender, c2(1, N = 507) = 7.15, p = .007. A significant number of males indicated that they had consumed alcohol in high school. Similar findings were indicated for parents' consumption, c2(1, N = 505) = 17.56, p = .000. A significant number of those who consumed alcohol in high school indicated that their parents consumed alcohol in their presence. Seventy percent stated that both parents consumed alcohol, 26% reported that only their father consumed alcohol, and 8% reported only their mother consumed alcohol. Not surprisingly, differences where found for current consumption, c2(1, N = 505) = 35.37, p = .000. A significant number of those who reported high school consumption reported current consumption.
Conclusions
The results of this study indicate that education efforts need to be directed toward young males with regard to alcohol consumption. Further, parents need to be made aware of their influence on drinking behavior.