Association between sensation seeking and alcohol consumption in French college students: Some ecological data collected in “open bar” parties

Abstract

Numerous factors have been associated with alcohol drinking among college students. Typically, the psychological trait of sensation seeking, has been found to be correlated with alcohol consumption in various populations. Nevertheless, there is a pressing need for more observational and ecological studies of college drinking behavior in unusual and incentive situations. The present study examined the relationship between sensation seeking and blood–alcohol concentration at the end of an “open bar” party in a sample of college students. Our results support the relationship between disinhibition and blood–alcohol concentration among women. In men however, experience seeking was found to be of equal significance than disinhibition. As the sensation seeking ratings were especially high for both sexes as compared to the population norms, the possibility that open bar participants share a specific profile of personality is discussed.