Project Title
Alcohol Use among Undergraduate College Students
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Dr. Johnny Moore
Abstract
Background Binge drinking of college students across the United States is increasing. Approximately 53% of college students ages 18-22 drank alcohol in the past month and about 33% engaged in binge drinking during that same time frame. Normative beliefs about alcohol use on college campuses contributes to the high rates of binge drinking. Binge drinking behaviors are contributing factors to many physically, mentally, and socially. Purpose To use the Transtheoretical Model to examine how binge drinking behaviors among college students, contributing factors to binge drinking, and associated consequences. Methods Articles and data from the CDC, NIH, and additional databases were used to gather information about college students and their binge drinking behaviors. The Transtheoretical Model was used to examine the college student’s thoughts about alcohol use and to determine the stages and processes of change that may promote behavior change. Results Research suggests that college students who consume the highest amount of alcohol are ambivalent about their level of readiness to change (precontemplation) Research has found that roughly 70% of freshman and sophomores who binge drink are in the precontemplation stage and less than 1-% were in the preparation stage. The most influential processes of change were consciousness raising, dramatic relief, and environmental reevaluation. Implications Health educators should address the use of alcohol use and abuse throughout every college in the United States. They should address that alcohol use in college is not a “norm” and should not be associated as one. Health educators should address how alcohol use and abuse can start in college or younger and affect you as you graduate college and move into you next chapter of life. They should also address they physical health, mental health, and social health consequences that alcohol use can cause.
Alcohol Use among Undergraduate College Students
Background Binge drinking of college students across the United States is increasing. Approximately 53% of college students ages 18-22 drank alcohol in the past month and about 33% engaged in binge drinking during that same time frame. Normative beliefs about alcohol use on college campuses contributes to the high rates of binge drinking. Binge drinking behaviors are contributing factors to many physically, mentally, and socially. Purpose To use the Transtheoretical Model to examine how binge drinking behaviors among college students, contributing factors to binge drinking, and associated consequences. Methods Articles and data from the CDC, NIH, and additional databases were used to gather information about college students and their binge drinking behaviors. The Transtheoretical Model was used to examine the college student’s thoughts about alcohol use and to determine the stages and processes of change that may promote behavior change. Results Research suggests that college students who consume the highest amount of alcohol are ambivalent about their level of readiness to change (precontemplation) Research has found that roughly 70% of freshman and sophomores who binge drink are in the precontemplation stage and less than 1-% were in the preparation stage. The most influential processes of change were consciousness raising, dramatic relief, and environmental reevaluation. Implications Health educators should address the use of alcohol use and abuse throughout every college in the United States. They should address that alcohol use in college is not a “norm” and should not be associated as one. Health educators should address how alcohol use and abuse can start in college or younger and affect you as you graduate college and move into you next chapter of life. They should also address they physical health, mental health, and social health consequences that alcohol use can cause.