A preliminary study of the attitudes, triggers and consequences of hazardous drinking in university students

Abstract

Objective The aim of this paper was to investigate drinking patterns, attitudes towards drinking and predictors of binge drinking as well as negative consequences of binge drinking in students. Design & Method Data was collected by questionnaire from 261 students living on campus at one Welsh university. Results The results showed that levels of drinking were higher than previous studies have revealed. The major triggers to binge drinking were social, and conformity motives were important predictors of hazardous drinking. The major consequences associated with binge drinking were involvement in illegal activities associated with drug use and unplanned sexual activity. Furthermore, students’ academic careers were adversely affected by heavy drinking as well as their physical and psychological wellbeing. Conclusions University students living on campus demonstrated dangerously high levels of alcohol consumption and many experienced worrying consequences of this behaviour. It was suggested that further investigations into these problems across a range of universities in the UK would be useful, in order to develop intervention strategies aimed at specific ‘at risk’ groups.