Alcohol-related Problem Behaviors Research Articles

Drinking beyond the binge threshold in a clinical sample of adolescents

Nearly all the research conducted on high-intensity drinking has focused on college and school-based samples, with recent calls for research to understand this risky drinking pattern in non-school-based samples and across time. This study aimed to characterize predictors and consequences of non-binge drinking, age- and gender-adjusted binge drinking (level I) and drinking at levels representing two or more times (level II) and three or more times the level I binge threshold (level III) in a clinical sample of adolescents followed into young adulthood. Cross-sectional associations between non-binge drinking, binge levels, and negative alcohol-related consequences were examined during adolescence; prospective analyses tested whether adolescent non-binge drinking and binge levels predicted alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms in young adulthood and whether changes in drinking motives over time were associated with binge levels in young adulthood. US clinical settings. A total of 432 adolescents (aged 12-18years) with alcohol-related problems followed into young adulthood (aged 19-25years). Life-time drinking history, Structured Clinical Interview for DSM AUDs, and Inventory of Drinking Situations. Results were generally consistent with a distinction between binge level I versus levels II-III on various negative alcohol-related consequences in adolescence (Ps<0.05) that were maintained in young adulthood (Ps<0.01). The maintenance of relatively high endorsement of enhancement and social motives over time was associated with binge levels II-III in young adulthood (Ps<0.001); decreases in coping motives were associated with less risky drinking in adulthood (P=0.003). Among US adolescents with alcohol-related problems who were followed-up in young adulthood (aged 19-25years), standard threshold binge drinking (five or more drinks per occasion; level I) was generally associated with fewer alcohol-related consequences and problem behaviors than binge drinking at two or more times (level II) or three or more times (level III) the standard binge threshold.

Alcohol-related problem behaviors among Latin American immigrants in the US

BackgroundPrior research indicates that Latino immigrants are less likely than US-born individuals to use alcohol and meet criteria for an alcohol use disorder. However, our understanding of alcohol-related problem behaviors among Latino immigrants remains limited. We report the prevalence of alcohol-related problem behaviors among Latino immigrants vis-à-vis the US-born and examine the relationship between alcohol-related problem behavior and key migration-related factors and injury/receipt of emergency medical care. MethodsThe data source used for the present study is the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC-III, 2012–2013), a nationally representative survey of 36,309 civilian, non-institutionalized adults ages 18 and older in the US. Logistic regression was employed to examine the relationship between immigrant status and key outcomes. ResultsForeign-born Latinos were less likely to report one or more alcohol-related problems compared to US-born Latinos (AOR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.33–0.50) and the US-born general population (AOR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.32–0.46). Latino immigrants arriving as children were, compared to those arriving later in life, significantly more likely to report alcohol-related problem behaviors, and experiences of discrimination were linked with greater risk of alcohol-related problem behavior as well. Latino immigrants reporting recurrent injury/emergency medical care utilization were more likely to report alcohol-related problem behavior. ConclusionsLatino immigrants are significantly less likely than US-born Latinos and the US-born general population to operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, take part in risky behaviors or fight while drinking, or to be arrested due to alcohol consumption.

Impulsivity and drinking motives predict problem behaviours relating to alcohol use in University students

AimsThis study used a four-factor model of impulsivity to investigate inter-relationships between alcohol consumption, impulsivity, motives for drinking and the tendency to engage in alcohol-related problem behaviours. Methods400 University students aged 18–25 completed an online survey consisting of the following measures: Urgency, Premeditation, Perseverance and Sensation Seeking Scale (UPPS) to measure impulsivity; Student Alcohol Questionnaire to assess drinking quantity, frequency and rates of problem behaviours; Drinking Motives Questionnaire to assess motives for drinking. ResultsThe majority of the sample (94.5%) drank alcohol at least monthly. Path analysis revealed direct effects of urgency, sensation seeking and premeditation, as well as the quantity of alcohol consumed, on the tendency to engage in risky behaviours with negative consequences. The effect of urgency was mediated by drinking for coping motives and by a combined effect of drinking for social motives and consumption of wine or spirits. Conversely the effect of sensation seeking was mediated by the quantity of alcohol consumed, irrespective of drink type, and the effect of premeditation was mediated by the consumption of wine and spirits, in combination with enhancement motives. ConclusionsSensation seeking, urgency and lack of premeditation are related to different motives for drinking and also demonstrate dissociable relationships with the consumption of specific types of alcohol (beer, wine and spirits) and the tendency to engage in risky behaviours associated with alcohol consumption. Screening for high levels of urgency and for severe drinking consequences may be useful predictors of alcohol-related problems in UK University students aged 18 to 25years.

Interactive Effects of Childhood Maltreatment and Recent Stressful Life Events on Alcohol Consumption in Adulthood

Childhood maltreatment is associated with early alcohol use initiation, alcohol-related problem behaviors, and alcohol use disorders in adulthood. Heavy drinking risk among individuals exposed to childhood maltreatment could be partly attributable to stress sensitization, whereby early adversity leads to psychobiological changes that heighten sensitivity to subsequent stressors and increase risk for stress-related drinking. We addressed this issue by examining whether the association between past-year stressful life events and past-year drinking density, a weighted quantity-frequency measure of alcohol consumption, was stronger among adults exposed to childhood maltreatment. Drinking density, stressful life events, and child maltreatment were assessed using structured clinical interviews in a sample of 4,038 male and female participants ages 20-58 years from the Virginia Adult Twin Study of Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders. Stress sensitization was examined using hierarchical multiple regression analyses to test whether stressful events moderated the association between maltreatment and drinking density. Analyses were stratified by sex and whether the impact was different for independent stressful events or dependent stressful events as related to a participant's actions. Independent stressful events were associated with heavier drinking density among women exposed to maltreatment. In contrast, drinking density was roughly the same across independent stressful life events exposure among women not exposed to maltreatment. There was little evidence for Maltreatment × Independent Stressor interactions in men or Maltreatment × Dependent Stressor interactions in either gender. Early maltreatment may have direct effects on vulnerability to stress-related drinking among women, particularly in association with stressors that are out of one's control.

The influence of socioeconomic environment on the effectiveness of alcohol prevention among European students: a cluster randomized controlled trial

BackgroundAlthough social environments may influence alcohol-related behaviours in youth, the relationship between neighbourhood socioeconomic context and effectiveness of school-based prevention against underage drinking has been insufficiently investigated. We study whether the social environment affects the impact of a new school-based prevention programme on alcohol use among European students.MethodsDuring the school year 2004-2005, 7079 students 12-14 years of age from 143 schools in nine European centres participated in this cluster randomised controlled trial. Schools were randomly assigned to either control or a 12-session standardised curriculum based on the comprehensive social influence model. Randomisation was blocked within socioeconomic levels of the school environment. Alcohol use and alcohol-related problem behaviours were investigated through a self-completed anonymous questionnaire at baseline and 18 months thereafter. Data were analysed using multilevel models, separately by socioeconomic level.ResultsAt baseline, adolescents in schools of low socioeconomic level were more likely to report problem drinking than other students. Participation in the programme was associated in this group with a decreased odds of reporting episodes of drunkenness (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.44-0.83), intention to get drunk (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.45-0.79), and marginally alcohol-related problem behaviours (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.46-1.06). No significant programme's effects emerged for students in schools of medium or high socioeconomic level. Effects on frequency of alcohol consumption were also stronger among students in disadvantaged schools, although the estimates did not attain statistical significance in any subgroup.ConclusionsIt is plausible that comprehensive social influence programmes have a more favourable effect on problematic drinking among students in underprivileged social environments.Trial registrationISRCTN: ISRCTN18092805

Adolescent bullying victimisation and alcohol-related problem behaviour mediated by coping drinking motives over a 12 month period

Background Despite the adverse externalising risks associated with bullying victimisation, no study has investigated the underlying mechanisms of adolescent victims' engagement with alcohol. This current study investigated the development of risky coping drinking motives as a mediator in the relationship between adolescent school victimisation and alcohol-related problem behaviour using a longitudinal design over 12 months. Method We recruited 324 participants, aged 13 to 15 from schools across London, England. Participants were surveyed during class time at 2 time points: baseline and 12 months. At both time points participants answered questions related to bullying victimisation, alcohol-related problem behaviour, drinking motives and the quantity by frequency of alcohol consumption. Results The relationships between victimisation, drinking and drinking motives were investigated using Pearson correlations. Path analysis showed that victimisation leads both directly and indirectly, through coping motives to alcohol-related problems, rather than to the quantity and frequency of alcohol use. Significance of mediation was tested using 5000 bias corrected and accelerated bootstrapped intervals. Baseline victimisation was significantly correlated with baseline alcohol-related problem behaviour and predictive of future problems at 12 months. Drinking to cope at 12 months partially mediated the relationship between baseline victimisation and alcohol-related problems at 12 months. Conclusions Results show that victims of bullying are drinking alcohol in a risky style, partly due to the development of self medicating drinking behaviour. Victims of bullying could therefore benefit from coping skills interventions targeting negative affect regulation in order to reduce the risk for future alcohol misuse.

Drink or drunk: why do staff members at licensed premises continue to serve patrons to intoxication despite current laws and interventions?

BackgroundAlcohol is a major contributing cause of violence in Australia. Injury and damage from excessive alcohol consumption on single occurrences have been shown to generally cause more problems than long...

Effects of a School-Based Prevention Program on European Adolescents' Patterns of Alcohol Use

School-based substance abuse prevention programs are widespread but are rarely evaluated in Europe. We aimed to evaluate the effect of a new school-based prevention program against substance use on the frequency of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problem behaviors among European students. During the school year 2004-2005, a total of 7,079 students aged 12-14 years from 143 schools in seven European countries participated in this cluster randomized controlled trial. Schools were randomly assigned to either control (65 schools, 3,532 students) or to a 12-session standardized program based on the comprehensive social influence model (78 schools, 3,547 students). Alcohol use and frequency of alcohol-related problem behaviors were investigated through a self-completed anonymous questionnaire at baseline and 18 months thereafter. The association between intervention and changes in alcohol-related outcomes was expressed as odds ratio (OR), estimated by multilevel regression model. The preventive program was associated with a decreased risk of reporting alcohol-related problems (OR = .78, 95% confidence intervals [CI] = .63-.98), although this reduction was not statistically significant in the subgroup of 743 current drinkers at baseline. The risk for alcohol consumption was not modified by exposure to the program (OR = .93, 95% CI = .79-1.09). In the intervention group, nondrinkers and occasional drinkers at baseline progressed toward frequent drinking less often than in the control group. School curricula based on the comprehensive social-influence model can delay progression to frequent drinking and reduce occurrence of alcohol-related behavioral problems in European students. These results, albeit moderate, have potentially useful implications at the population level.

The relationship between alcohol supply source and young people's risky drinking and alcohol‐related problem behaviours in Victoria, Australia

To determine whether source of alcohol supply is related to adolescent underage drinkers' reports of risky drinking and alcohol-related problem behaviours. In 2003/04, a cross-sectional survey of 2,644 16-17 year-olds were recruited from Victorian households and surveyed by phone as part of the Victorian Youth Alcohol and Drug Survey. The results were analysed to determine whether alcohol supply source was associated with weekly or more frequent risky single occasion drinking (RSOD) and reports of alcohol-related problem behaviours. Around 20% (524/2,644) of the sample reported weekly RSOD and 34% (904/2,644) of the sample reported engaging in at least one alcohol-related problem behaviour. These outcomes were associated with reported usual source of alcohol supply, with reports of alcohol sources in addition to parents alone more than twice as likely to be accompanied by reports of RSOD (OR=2.53, 95%CI=1.85-3.46) and/or problem behaviours (OR=2.16, 95%CI=1.64-2.84), compared to when adolescents reported parents as their sole source of alcohol. Reports of alcohol supply only from sources other than parents were similarly more than twice as likely to be accompanied by reports of RSOD (OR=2.27, 95% CI=1.74-2.95) and/or problem behaviours (OR=2.27, 95%CI=1.82-2.82) compared to compared to parental supply alone. The rate at which older adolescents report RSOD and alcohol-related problem behaviour is increased when they obtain alcohol from sources other than their parents. Parents need to be equipped with strategies for managing the supply of alcohol to adolescents.

Variations by age and sex in alcohol-related problematic behaviour per drinking volume and heavier drinking occasion

Aims This study aims to assess the relationships between age, sex, drinking behaviour and self-reported alcohol-related problem behaviour. Design Cross-sectional population survey. Setting and participants Interviews were undertaken in 2004, with a representative sample of Australian residents aged 12 and over ( N = 29,445). Measurements Alcohol use was measured using graduated frequency questions and, using these questions, estimates of total annual intake and frequency of heavy drinking occasions were derived. Alcohol-related problems were measured using a 10-item scale, relating to behaviour in the 12 months prior to the survey. Findings Alcohol-related problem behaviours clustered into two groups: hazardous behaviour and delinquent behaviour. Rates of problem behaviours and drinking followed similar patterns for males and females, with peaks in early adulthood and a subsequent decline with age. Males drank at higher levels than females and behaved more problematically. Once alcohol consumption and drinking pattern were controlled for, male and female rates of problem behaviours were not markedly different. However, there were substantial differences by age, with young people behaving significantly more problematically than older people with the drinking variables controlled for. Conclusions The results of this study provide strong evidence that young drinkers behave more problematically than older drinkers with drinking behaviour controlled for. The study also provides further evidence that women and men do not report substantially different rates of alcohol-related problems for similar amounts or patterns of drinking. The study has implications for public health messages that focus on the risk of harm from drinking, clearly demonstrating that young drinkers are more likely to report problems for a given amount of drinking.

The MAO-A gene, platelet MAO-B activity and psychosocial environment in adolescent female alcohol-related problem behaviour

Background Antisocial behaviour has been associated with polymorphic variants in candidate genes and recently also gene–environmental interaction models have been presented. It has been suggested that antisocial behaviour, associated with alcohol consumption in males, is related to a variation in the monoamine oxidase A gene ( MAO-A) promoter. Furthermore, platelet MAO-B activity has in several studies been reported to be low in male alcoholics, while this has not been the case with regard to female alcoholics. Aims of the present study were to: (1) investigate possible interactions between the MAO-A polymorphism, family relations and maltreatment/sexual abuse on adolescent alcohol-related problem behaviour among female adolescents; (2) to investigate if platelet MAO-B enzyme activity interacted with environment to predict female alcohol-related problems. Methods A random sample of 114 female individuals from a total population of 16- and 19-year adolescents from a Swedish county, who volunteered to participate in the study, were interviewed, filled in a questionnaire and a blood sample was drawn. Results In contrast to what has been reported in males, presence of the long (4-repeat) variant of the MAO-A gene in females interacted significantly with an unfavourable environment (poor family relations or maltreatment/abuse/sexual abuse) to increase the risk for high scores of alcohol-related problems. Furthermore, females with low platelet MAO-B activity showed an increased risk of alcohol-related problem behaviour in an unfavourable environment. Conclusions Poor psychosocial environment interacts with the high activity MAO-A genotype and low platelet MAO-B enzyme activity to increase vulnerability for female adolescent alcohol-related problem behaviour.

The monoamine oxidase A (MAO‐A) gene, family function and maltreatment as predictors of destructive behaviour during male adolescent alcohol consumption

To investigate possible interactions between a polymorphism in the monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) gene promoter, family relations and maltreatment/sexual abuse on adolescent alcohol-related problem behaviour among male adolescents. A cross-sectional study of a randomized sample of 66 male individuals from a total population of 16- and 19-year adolescents from a Swedish county. Boys, who volunteered to participate answering an alcohol-related problem/behaviour questionnaire, were investigated with regard to interactions between such problems, family function, maltreatment and MAO-A genotype. MAO-A genotype, family relations history, history of being maltreated or abused and alcohol-related problem behaviour. Boys with the short (three-repeat) variant of the MAO-A gene, who had been maltreated/abused or came from families with poor relations, showed significantly higher scores of alcohol-related problems. We also found that maltreatment/abuse independently showed the strongest relation to alcohol-related problems among boys in our model. The results suggest that both maltreatment and MAO-A genotype may be useful for the understanding of male adolescent alcohol-related problem behaviour.

Brief Report: Binge drinking among high-risk male and female adolescents in Israel

A major factor attributed to the problem and consequences of underage alcohol use is binge drinking. The objective of this study was to examine binge drinking and other alcohol-related problem behaviour among high-risk male and female adolescents who were from alternative schools and programs because of learning and/or behaviour problems. Self-report data were collected from a purposive sample of 917 adolescents in Israel who ranged from 12 to 18 years. Binge drinking during the last 30 days prior to the survey was reported by 33% of males and 23% of females ( p < . 001 ) . Results of other alcohol-related behaviour showed gender status not related to being in a car when the driver had been drinking (12%) or having driven a car or motorcycle after drinking (5%). Multiple regression analysis showed binge drinking related to what a youth does with time; a decline in relations with family members; selling drugs; and, having been in a serious fight during the last 12 months. Country of origin, i.e. born in Israel or the Former Soviet Union, was not found linked to binge drinking. Further research of binge drinking and alcohol-related problem behaviour among high-risk youth is important so that it can be applied to immediate and longstanding prevention efforts.

Use of Designated Boat Operators and Designated Drivers Among College Students

Prior research has shown that designated drivers (DD) are widely used as a preventive measure for driving under the influence. Despite the prevalence of alcohol involvement in boating accidents, much less is known about the use of a designated boat operator (DBO). The current study investigated the prevalence of DBO use in recreational boating and compared the characteristics of DD users and DBO users. Several survey questionnaires were distributed to a group of undergraduate students at a large southwestern university for the purpose of investigating demographic characteristics, alcohol-use pattern, and other alcohol-related problem behaviors, such as driving and boating under the influence. Approximately 45% of the boaters reported they had drunk alcohol while boating, and approximately 70% had used a DBO in the most recent boating event. The DBO users were found to be similar to the DD users in terms of drinking pattern, age of drinking onset, and driving behaviors. High rates of alcohol use in recreational boating suggest the need for prevention strategies. Furthermore, future studies are needed to investigate the selection process of the DBOs and the differences between passengers and boat operators, which could shed light on strategies to prevent alcohol- involved boating injuries.

Towards a better understanding of First Nations communities and drinking and driving

Objectives. First Nations young people are over-represented in fatal alcohol-related crashes, necessitating culturally sensitive data that sheds light on this major health issue. The objective of this study was to understand why young First Nations drivers, aged 18 to 29 years old, become involved in drinking and driving as normal behavior displayed through socio-cultural patterns.Study Design and Methods. Sixty-five First Nations respondents were individually interviewed in nine Alberta locations. Semi-structured interviews, focusing on socio-cultural patterns, norms and community ethos affecting alcohol consumption, drinking and driving, and drinking and driving interventions, were used.Results. Community norms play a significant role in the drinking and driving behaviors of First Nations people. First Nations communities experience reckless driving, neighbors with alcohol and drug abuse problems, violence, economic disparity, boredom and racism, all of which contribute to responses of alcohol abuse and drinking and driving. Both are considered to be normal, community-endorsed behaviors, reflecting situational needs and ready-at-hand usage. Furthermore, the grid of rural roadways is an important contributor to drinking and driving and a community sense of practical living. Also of importance was the finding that young people embraced their parents’ alcohol-related problem behaviors on the basis that “what is okay for the parents is okay for me.” Finally, First Nations young people believe in personally stopping a drunken person from driving, but the risk of community censure, social discomfort and risk of physical and verbal abuse mitigate against them taking action.Conclusions. Living in First Nations communities is socially complex, highly emotionally charged, and peer-pressured. Drinking and driving and alcohol abuse amongst First Nations people reflect the community social structure, daily pressures and norms of behavior. Hence, to reduce drinking and driving casualties amongst First Nations young people, intervention strategies must address systemic issues, namely local people’s social realities, norms, as well as local and peer relationships. (Int J Circumpolar Health 2005; 64(4):336–345.)

Perceptions of policy change: Hispanics speak out on the 1998 New Mexico drive-up liquor window closure

Public health policies are intended to influence behaviors, and should be in accordance with differing cultures and social, legal and economic environments (WHO, 2000). However, studies of whether policy changes differentially affect minority populations are rare. Hispanics are the fastest growing ethnic group in the USA, and are over-represented among those arrested for driving while impaired (DWI). The relationship between the availability of alcohol and alcohol-related problem behaviors has been established. Drive-up liquor window sales may facilitate drinking and driving, and may be disproportionately found in minority neighborhoods. In 1998 New Mexico (NM) became the twenty-seventh state to close drive-up liquor windows. This study examines how the closure was perceived by Hispanics versus people of other ethnicities. We conducted a telephone survey followed by a mailed questionnaire. The telephone survey was completed by 108 residents from four NM communities, and the mailed survey was responded to by 133 residents living within two blocks of a closed liquor window. Many Hispanic telephone-survey respondents felt the closures only effect on the community was reducing DWI crashes (44%). Respondents of other ethnicities were more likely to be unsure of its effects. Mailed-survey results of Hispanics indicate similar views, with 48% reporting that the closure reduced DWI crashes. Respondents of other ethnicities more often felt the closure had little effect on the neighborhood. The qualitative analysis revealed three themes: ‘zero tolerance;’ ‘ineffective;’ and ‘right track.’ Hispanics generally thought the closure was an ineffective means of addressing the DWI problem, while respondents of other ethnicities felt the closure was a step in the right direction. Respondents living closest to the former drive-up windows strongly felt the closure resulted in safer streets, less noise, fewer accidents, and less ‘wild driving.’

Alcohol expectancies and drinking behaviors in Mexican American college students

Research with non-Latinos has shown that alcohol expectancies (“the anticipated effects of alcohol use”) are associated with drinking behaviors; however, prior studies have not fully examined such relations in Latino college students. This investigation examines positive alcohol expectancies and their association with contextual drinking and alcohol-related problem behaviors in a sample of 107 Mexican American college students (mean age=25; 54% female) who completed self-report surveys. Results showed that students who endorsed expectancies of physical and social pleasure and increased social assertiveness were likely to engage in frequent heavy drinking and imbibe in less personal settings. Furthermore, gender (being male) and the expectancy of enhanced sexual performance and experience were associated with involvement in risk behaviors due to drinking. This study highlights the link between specific alcohol expectancies and alcohol-related problem behaviors in Mexican American college students. Intervention approaches aimed at modifying drinking expectancies in physical, social, and sexual domains could prove useful in this population.

Measuring AIDS-Related Behaviors in Older Populations: Methodological Issues.

Because of a dearth of research on reporting biases in the measurement of HIV-related sexual and drug use behaviors in older populations, it is frequently assumed that methodological findings of research conducted with younger populations will generalize to older respondents. In this study, estimates of the effect of the experimental manipulation of interview mode (interviewer administered vs. self-administered) were derived separately for three age strata: 12 to 49, 50 to 64, and 65+. Results of these analyses indicate that there were a number of noteworthy reversals in which interviewer-administered questioning in the older age strata produced higher esti-mates of the prevalence of substance use or alcohol-related problem behaviors. These results suggest that caution should be exercised in making generalizations from studies of reporting bias for HIV-related behaviors to older populations.

Alcohol expectancies, coping responses and self-efficacy judgments: a replication and extension of Copper et al.'s 1988 study in a college sample.

Social learning theory models of alcohol use have assumed an increasingly influential role in recent years. Despite their growing popularity, research on social learning theory models has focused almost exclusively on establishing the independent links among particular aspects of theory and indices of alcohol use and abuse. In response to the need for research that incorporates multiple aspects of theory into a testable framework, this article endeavored to replicate and extend the Copper et al. study in a college sample (Cooper, Russell and George, J. Abnorm. Psychol. Vol. 97, pp. 218-230, 1988). Subjects were 157 college student volunteers from a large midwestern university. Standard hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to examine both the simultaneous and incremental contributions of self-efficacy judgments, alcohol expectancies and coping responses to dependent measures of alcohol use and alcohol-related problem behaviors. Collectively, 22% of the variance in subjects' self-reported use of alcohol and greater than 50% of the variance in subjects' endorsement of alcohol-related problems was explained. Despite considerable overlap among the constructs measured, analyses also demonstrated that each variable accounted for significant and unique variance in the prediction of the criteria. These results provide considerable support for the application of social learning theory principles to the drinking practices of collegiate youth. In particular, the salience of social learning theory constructs as relevant risk factors was highlighted, as lower self-efficacy judgments, positive alcohol expectancies and reliance avoidant, emotion-focused coping strategies were significantly associated with increased alcohol consumption levels and greater endorsement of alcohol-related problem behaviors.

Factors in College Students' Drinking

Associations of age, membership in a sorority or fraternity, and whether a family member had an alcohol-related problem with the number of alcohol-related problem behaviors were examined by asking 160 people on campuses and one Board of Education in the northeastern United States to complete anonymously a 17-item questionnaire reporting the number of drinking-related problem behaviors. A 2 x 2 x 3 factorial analysis of variance with unequal ns yielded significance for age, type of family membership, and the interaction between age and membership in a sorority or fraternity. Younger subjects reported more alcohol-related drinking behaviors as did those with members of their family having drinking problems. Finally, younger members of a Greek organization reported the greatest number of problem behaviors.