Citation

Mallett KA, Marzell M, Varvil-Weld L, Turrisi R, Guttman K, Abar CC. Addict. Behav. 2011; 36(5): 508-511.

Affiliation

Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, 204 Calder Way, Suite 208, State College, PA 16801, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.addbeh.2010.12.022

PMID

21276662

PMCID

PMC3063062

Abstract

Recent studies have examined alcohol-related consequences in college students as an independent outcome variable, rather than as a result of heavy drinking. The present study examined the patterns of consequences experienced by first-year college students (n=169). Specifically, the number of distinct consequences and the frequency of repeated consequences were evaluated as well as the combination of the two. Results revealed that 80% of participants reported experiencing multiple consequences, with over 34% of students reporting 6 or more unique consequences over the course of their freshmen year. In addition, nearly 50% of the sample reported experiencing 3 or more consequences repeatedly. Further, 23% of the sample reported experiencing 5 or more repeated consequences and 6 or more multiple consequences. These individuals experienced 38% of the multiple consequences and 54% of the repeated consequences reported by the entire sample, suggesting individuals who endorsed experiencing multiple consequences repeatedly also experienced a disproportionate number of the total consequences reported by the sample. The findings suggest there are specific high-risk patterns of alcohol-related consequences and demonstrate a need for further examination of additional variables that predict consequences.

Language: en