Citation

Zamboanga BL, Tomaso CC, Cloutier RM, Blumenthal H, Kenney SR, Borsari B. J. Addict. Nurs. 2016; 27(1): 24-31.

Affiliation

Byron L. Zamboanga, PhD, and Cara C. Tomaso, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts. Renee M. Cloutier, BA, and Heidemarie Blumenthal, PhD, University of North Texas, Denton Shannon R. Kenney, PhD, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island Brian Borsari, PhD, San Francisco VA Medical Center, and University of California-San Francisco.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa Healthcare)

DOI

10.1097/JAN.0000000000000108

PMID

26950839

Abstract

The transition from high school to college has been characterized as a potentially vulnerable period because of decreased parental supervision and increased autonomy. This transition can increase risk for participation in high-risk behaviors such as drinking games (DGs), which are a social drinking activity that encourages intoxication and are associated with negative alcohol-related consequences. To date, there has not been a narrative review of DG research that examines this activity among high schoolers and incoming college students specifically, and thus, the current review bridges this gap.

FINDINGS indicate that DG participation is consistently linked to negative consequences (e.g., passing out, becoming sick) and other high-risk behaviors, such as prepartying (drinking before going to a social event). In addition, DG participation is linked to demographic (e.g., age, gender), psychological (e.g., personality, alcohol cognitions), and contextual/cultural factors (e.g., the college drinking culture). These findings have implications for current prevention and intervention efforts and suggest promising directions for future research.

Language: en