Citation

Borsari B, Bergen-Cico D, Carey KB. J. Am. Coll. Health 2003; 51(4): 149-154.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244-2340, USA. beborsar@psych.syr.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448480309596343

PMID

12735390

PMCID

PMC2726648

Abstract

Drinking games are associated with excess alcohol use and alcohol-related problems, yet it is unclear whether they are unique to the college environment or whether students come to college familiar with such games. The authors queried 1,252 students attending voluntary summer orientation programs about their experiences with drinking games. A majority (63%) indicated they had played drinking games and viewed them as a means to get drunk quickly and to socialize, control others, or get someone else drunk. Logistic regression analyses revealed that familiarity with drinking situations was associated with a greater likelihood of playing drinking games. Students who reported drinking more frequently and consuming greater quantities of alcohol than others, having lifetime marijuana use, and initiating alcohol consumption between the ages of 14 and 16 years were significantly more likely to have participated in drinking games. These findings demonstrate the importance of considering students' participation in drinking games when campus officials address alcohol use.

Language: en