The Effects of Alcohol Consumption on College Students
The Effects of Alcohol Consumption on College Students
On a weekly basis, college students consume more alcohol to fit in with their peers. Prior research has shown how alcohol consumption can lead to negative effects. Typically, college students ignore the negative effects of consuming alcohol, in order to have a good time. College students are the point in their life where they are searching for new and exciting ways to fit in and have fun amongst peers. Alcohol consumption among college student is an important community and public health concern. Drinking appears to be a normal part of the college experience and is related with high-risk behavior, such as driving under the influence of alcohol and risky sexual behavior and fights (Ham & Hope, 2003; Murphy, McDevitt-Murphy, & Barnett, 2005; Park, 2004). The negative consequences of these behaviors are legal sanctions, poor academic performance, injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. Nicole Gentile, Erika Librizzi, and Margaret Martinetti examined that college students ages 18-22 consume more alcohol that non-college attendees in the same age rang and thus, are at increased risk for demonstrating early signs of alcohol abuse and dependence during their college years (Johnston, O’ Malley, & Bachman, 2003). National survey indicates that, about 40% of U.S. college students report at most one episode of heavy drinking during a 2-week period and about 40% of students are considered binge drinkers. Alcohol-related accidents represent the leading cause of death in young adults. College drinking behaviors also affect and endanger other students. About 87% of college students claim that they have experienced some “second-hand effects” of heavy drinking, such as unwanted sexual advances, interrupted schoolwork and sleep, and being insulted and humiliated (DeJong & Langford, 2002: Ham & Hope, 2003).
Joanna Buscemi, Matthew Martens,
On a weekly basis, college students consume more alcohol to fit in with their peers. Prior research has shown how alcohol consumption can lead to negative effects. Typically, college students ignore the negative effects of consuming alcohol, in order to have a good time. College students are the point in their life where they are searching for new and exciting ways to fit in and have fun amongst peers. Alcohol consumption among college student is an important community and public health concern. Drinking appears to be a normal part of the college experience and is related with high-risk behavior, such as driving under the influence of alcohol and risky sexual behavior and fights (Ham & Hope, 2003; Murphy, McDevitt-Murphy, & Barnett, 2005; Park, 2004). The negative consequences of these behaviors are legal sanctions, poor academic performance, injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. Nicole Gentile, Erika Librizzi, and Margaret Martinetti examined that college students ages 18-22 consume more alcohol that non-college attendees in the same age rang and thus, are at increased risk for demonstrating early signs of alcohol abuse and dependence during their college years (Johnston, O’ Malley, & Bachman, 2003). National survey indicates that, about 40% of U.S. college students report at most one episode of heavy drinking during a 2-week period and about 40% of students are considered binge drinkers. Alcohol-related accidents represent the leading cause of death in young adults. College drinking behaviors also affect and endanger other students. About 87% of college students claim that they have experienced some “second-hand effects” of heavy drinking, such as unwanted sexual advances, interrupted schoolwork and sleep, and being insulted and humiliated (DeJong & Langford, 2002: Ham & Hope, 2003).
Joanna Buscemi, Matthew Martens,
References: A.j, L., Sheldon, S., Carey, K., & Carey, M. (2208). Health behavior and college students: Greek affiliation matter? J Behav Med (2008) 31:61-70 Buscemi, J., Martens, M., Murphy, J., Yurasek, A.., & Smith, A. (2011). Moderators of the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Alcohol Consumption in College Students. Journal of American College Health, Vol. 59, NO. 6 Craw, L & Novak, K. (2007). Resisting peer pressure: characteristics associated with other-self discrepancies in college students’ levels of alcohol consumption. Journal of Alcohol and drug Education, Vol 51(1), Mar, 2007. Pp. 35-62. Gentile, N., Librizzi, E., & Martinetti, M. (2012). Academic Constraints on Alcohol Consumption in College Students: A Behavioral Economic Analysis. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology 2012, Vol. 20. NO. 5, 390-399 Orford, J., Krishnan, M., Balaam, M., Everitt, M., & Van Der Graaf, K. (2004). University student drinking: The role of motivational and social factors. Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy, Vol 11(5), Oct, 2004. Pp. 407-421