Ego identity status and reported alcohol consumption: a study of first-year college students

Abstract

Four hundred and nineteen first-year college students completed questionnaires which assessed the frequency and volume of their alcohol consumption (Khavari Alcohol Test) and their ego identity status (EOM-EIS). There were reliable inverse linear relationships between identity status sophistication and scores on the KAT beer subscales. In terms of both the frequency and volume of beer consumption, the respondents with less sophisticated identity statuses reported higher levels of consumption. In addition, there was a reliable inverse linear relationship between identity status sophistication and the absolute annual level of alcohol intake. The implications of these findings are explored.