Factors Associated With Owning a Fake ID: Personality Traits and Problematic Alcohol Use

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the correlation between certain personality traits, one’s alcohol use, and owning a fake ID. Many college students use fake IDs to obtain alcohol while underage, which is then related to higher rates of problematic alcohol use. Problematic alcohol use has a number of negative health consequences; as such, efforts to prevent problematic alcohol use among college students need to be identified. The study was conducted with a college student population using an online survey to assess the personality traits of extraversion, neuroticism, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and openness to experience as predictors of fake ID ownership. The relation between fake ID ownership and problematic alcohol use was also assessed. Those who owned a fake ID scored higher in extraversion, t(151) = 2.10, p = .037, d = 0.34, and roblematic alcohol use, t(120) = 2.61, p = .02, d = 0.42, and lower in neuroticism, t(151) = −1.94, p = .054. d = −0.36, and openness to experience, t(151) = −2.48, p = .01, d = −0.40, than those who did not own a fake ID. The results of this study can aid in identifying who among the college student population should be targeted with alternate socializing events to prevent fake ID ownership and problematic alcohol use.