Negative Consequences Of Alcohol Use Research Articles

Alcohol-related Consequences: Factor Structure and Associations With Trait Mindfulness and Drinking Motivations.

This study aimed to determine if motivations to use alcohol (coping and social motivations) mediate the relationship between trait mindfulness and a variety of alcohol-related consequences and to determine if the relationship between motivations to use alcohol and alcohol-related consequences is moderated by alcohol use. We determined the factor structure of positive and negative consequences of alcohol use and used this structure as outcomes across eight moderated mediation models. Data were obtained from 296 undergraduate students to confirm the alcohol-related consequences factor structure and to test eight moderated-mediation models. Four alcohol-related consequences scales (romantic/sexual, positive, mild negative, and severe negative consequences) were confirmed. The motive of drinking to cope significantly mediated the relationship between trait mindfulness and all four of the alcohol-related consequences scales. Drinking to socialize did not significantly mediate the relationship between trait mindfulness and all of the alcohol-related consequences scales. The identified four-factor structure suggests that alcohol-related consequences should be assessed in a more specific manner. Additionally, different motivations for alcohol use relate differentially to trait mindfulness and different alcohol-related consequences; drinking to cope is particularly problematic for this population. Future research on the usefulness of promoting mindfulness to reduce problematic drinking appears warranted.

A spatial examination of alcohol availability and the level of disadvantage of schools in Ireland

BackgroundThe availability of alcohol is a major factor in underage drinking and according to the alcohol harm paradox, those living in more deprived communities are more susceptible to the negative consequences of alcohol use, despite drinking the same or less than those from more affluent areas. Alcohol availability within the vicinity of the home or school normalises alcohol for schoolchildren. For the first time in the Republic of Ireland, this study examines the number of premises licensed to sell alcohol within 300 m of all schools in Ireland and differences in this number between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged schools.MethodsUsing publicly available data from the Department of Education and Revenue, the addresses of all schools (n = 3,958) and all premises with at least one liquor licence (n = 14,840) were geocoded and analysed using the Geographic Information System software, Quantum GIS (QGIS). Schools were identified by their disadvantaged classification using the HP Pobal Deprivation Index and the number of liquor licences within 300 m of each school type was examined. To test for significant differences between schools’ level of disadvantage, a combination of Mann-Whitney U tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests and Dunn-Bonferroni tests were used.ResultsThere was a mean of two licenced premises within 300 m of all schools in Ireland, but when disadvantaged schools were compared to non-disadvantaged schools, there was a significantly higher number of licenced premises around disadvantaged schools (p < .001). Primary schools are further classified according to their level of disadvantage and the results indicated that those schools classified as the most disadvantaged had a significantly greater number of liquor licences within 300 meters (p < .001). There was no significant difference in density of licenced premises when comparing disadvantaged secondary schools with non-disadvantaged secondary schools (p = .705).ConclusionIreland is considering increasing alcohol availability through the Sale of Alcohol Bill, 2022. However, this analysis indicates already problematic numbers of licenced premises within close proximity of schools in Ireland. It is essential that the harms associated with alcohol availability are considered, especially for those living and attending school in disadvantaged communities, where higher numbers of licenced premises were identified.

Polish adaptation and validation of the Short Inventory of Problems (SIP-2L).

The aim of the research was to present the Polish adaptation and validation of the Short Inventory of Problems (SIP-2L) by Miller et al. (1995). The SIP-2L is a popular selfreport measure used to assess the negative consequences of alcohol use in 5 domains with negative consequences: physical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, social and impulse control. The adapted version of SIP assesses lifetime consequences of using alcohol. A total of 256 participants diagnosed with alcohol dependence (71 women and 185 men) completed an assessment battery that included SIP-2L and Polish versions of AUDIT, MAST and KOEP-R, which is a modified Polish adaptation of CEAQ - Comprehensive Effects of Alcohol Questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated the hypothesized 5-factor model produced the best fit. Reliability of the entire method (Cronbach's α = 0.868) and for all factors was satisfactory, as was convergent validity. The results support that the Polish version of the SIP-2L has good psychometric properties and can successfully assess the consequences of drinking among patients diagnosed with alcohol dependence.

CANNABIS USE TRENDS AND INTENTIONS AMONG OLDER PEOPLE WHO INJECT DRUGS IN LOS ANGELES, CA, AND DENVER, CO, 2021–2022

Abstract One potential benefit of drug legalization is that it might lead to substitution of legal products for criminalized substances. This is particularly true in the case of legal cannabis use by the subpopulation of people who inject drugs (PWID) and thus face substantial risk of physical harm, infectious diseases transmission, and even death especially in criminalized environments. Should substitution occur among older PWID, where other comorbid conditions are more common, the benefits could be even greater. To describe substance use patterns among older people who inject drugs and to examine if older PWID are more likely to use cannabis as a substitute for other substances. We analyze data from quantitative, health surveys collected from 429 community-recruited PWID during 2021/22. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the drug use patterns among older (50 years of age or more) PWID and multivariate regression to examine if older participants were more likely to substitute cannabis for any other substance. Results: Among the 429 participants, 110 (or 26%) were 50 years of age or older. Older participants reported being significantly less likely than younger participants to use of methamphetamine, fentanyl and cannabis. In terms of cannabis substitution, older participants were significantly more likely to report using cannabis to reduce alcohol use. Risk and benefits of cannabis use vary among subpopulations. Older PWID might benefit from improved access to cannabis when trying to reduce alcohol use. Given the negative consequences of alcohol use, cannabis substitution might have additional benefits for this subpopulation.

Community-based participatory research initiative to assess the scope of alcohol use within the community of refugees from Burma in the greater Denver area

Introduction For over fifty years, minorities in Burma have faced severe persecution and violence, forcing them to flee their homeland. In the past ten years there has been an influx in the number of refugees resettled in Denver, Colorado. Refugees often struggle to navigate the complexities of the American health care system and adapt to life in a foreign culture. The development of programs and partnerships to assist refugees in their pursuit of health and integration is essential to building stronger communities.Objectives This community based participatory research (CBPR) project was developed in collaboration with the refugee community from Burma living in the Denver area. After regular meetings with a group of motivated teenagers and young adults from this community to form our Youth Advisory Board (YAB), they identified alcohol use and misuse as a health concern within their community. With this identified issue, the project aimed to gather data from community members that could be leveraged to create, implement, and evaluate a culturally competent intervention to effectively address risky alcohol use in this community.MethodsData collection involved formal one-on-one, semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews with community members. Participants were recruited voluntarily at health information nights held by the student researchers at their local apartment complex. The interviews were conducted by one medical student researcher with one translator present and were transcribed afterward. The interview data was analyzed using Immersion Crystallization methodology.ResultsInitial results from the community meetings with the YAB, local organizations, formative community surveys, and key informant interviews highlighted the vulnerability of the refugee population, scarcity of culturally appropriate resources for alcohol abuse, and urgency of addressing problematic alcohol use. The analysis of the ten audio-recorded surveys showed several themes including negative consequences of alcohol use, specifically negative impacts on familial relationships, employment, and financial resources, and a perceived personal responsibility for managing one’s own alcohol consumption.ConclusionsThis project corroborates current literature regarding the scope and breadth of hazardous alcohol use within the community of refugees from Burma. Our data has expanded our understanding of the values of community members including the influence of religion and family on behaviors, and the negative impact on employment as the most impactful negative consequence. These findings need to be shared with the community to move forward in mapping the most effective and appropriate interventions.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

The Culture of Alcohol in the U.S. Military: Correlations With Problematic Drinking Behaviors and Negative Consequences of Alcohol Use

Excessive alcohol use, especially binge and heavy drinking, represents a serious threat to force readiness across the Department of Defense. Though these behaviors are a matter of individual service member choice, they are influenced by perceptions of the culture of alcohol use in the military. This paper uses data from the 2018 Health Related Behaviors Survey of Active Duty service members to explore associations between perceived alcohol culture and excessive alcohol use, any serious drinking consequences, risky driving behaviors, productivity loss due to drinking, absenteeism, and presenteeism. Results from multivariate logistic regression reveal a strong, positive correlation between positive perceptions of drinking culture in the military and all outcomes. Targeting perceptions of the drinking culture is one way the military can reduce excessive and unhealthy use of alcohol and negative sequelae.

Perfectionism and alcohol-related problems: The role of procrastination

Objective: College drinking is a significant individual and societal problem, and thus, identifying risk factors to alcohol-related problems has been an important line of inquiry. Adding to this rich literature, the current study examined whether perfectionism dimensions were associated with alcohol-related problems and whether a poor self-regulation process linked these associations. Participants: A total of 410 university students completed measures pertaining to perfectionism, procrastination, and negative consequences of alcohol use. Methods: Parallel mediation models were tested. Results: There was support for an indirect effect in the association between perfectionistic concerns and alcohol-related problems through susceptibility to temptation but not through pure procrastination or irrational procrastination. Perfectionistic strivings dimension was not associated with alcohol-related problems and this relation was not mediated by any procrastination dimensions. Conclusions: Building internal resources to better resist immediately gratifying yet long-run detrimental behavioral habits is important, especially so for highly self-critical students.

Negative Consequences of Alcohol Use among People Living with HIV

Introduction: Among people living with HIV (PLWH), alcohol use can have negative impacts beyond HIV-related outcomes. The objectives of this study are to identify the most common alcohol-related consequences among PLWH in Florida and describe factors associated with experiencing more alcohol-related consequences. Methods: Data were collected from PLWH in the Florida Cohort study who drank at least monthly in the past year (n=397). Self-reported consequences were assessed by the 15-item Short Inventory of Problems Revised (SIP-2R). Nonparametric tests and a generalized estimating equation model with inverse probability of exposure weighting were used to evaluate associations between the total SIP-2R score and socio-demographics, mental health, and substance use while controlling for alcohol use. Results: Over half (56%) endorsed at least one consequence and 29% endorsed 5 or more consequences. The most common consequences were doing something they regretted and taking foolish risks (both endorsed by 37% of participants), both in the impulse control domain. After controlling for alcohol use and other covariates, homelessness and injection drug use remained significantly associated with greater SIP-2R scores. Conclusion: PLWH who are experiencing homelessness or injecting drugs could benefit from receiving additional screening for alcohol-related consequences if they report any alcohol use.

Female Sport Participation Effect on Long-Term Health-Related Quality of Life.

Female participation in sport has grown substantially over the last 4 decades. We investigated the association between sports participation and (1) later-life health outcomes and (2) later-life quality-of-life (QoL) measures among female college alumni. We conducted a cross-sectional study of female alumni between the ages of 40 and 70 years. Participants completed a questionnaire that included QoL measures assessing general health, negative consequences of alcohol use, mental health, and other self-reported health outcomes. We divided alumni into athletes and nonathletes. Between-group comparisons of health outcomes were adjusted for age; QoL measures were adjusted for age, exercise habits, cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and comorbidities. Questionnaires were sent to 47 836 alumni, 3702 (8%) responded. Forty-four percent of female respondents participated in collegiate sports. After adjusting for age, female respondents who participated in collegiate sports were more likely to exercise >3×/week (61.8% vs 50.2%; P ≤ 0.001), view themselves in good/great health (91% vs 85%; P < 0.001), and less likely to have ever smoked (13.6% vs 25.3%; P ≤ 0.001) or used recreational drugs (7.5% vs 9.5%; P = 0.018). A smaller proportion of female athletes reported hypertension (5.5% vs 13.5%; P ≤ 0.001), high cholesterol (9.9% vs 17.0%; P < 0.001), and obesity (3.1% vs 6.8%; P = 0.001) compared with nonathletes. Participation in sports was, however, associated with decreased mobility (R = 0.1826; P = 0.002) and increased anxiety (R = 0.039; P = 0.016) QoL scores. Sports participation for female collegiate athletes was associated with mostly positive health outcomes, but also with lower mobility and increased anxiety QoL scores.

Relations among Externalizing Behaviors, Alcohol Expectancies and Alcohol Use Problems in a Multi-Ethnic Sample of Middle and High School Students.

Background:Alcohol expectancies and externalizing behaviors, that is, aggression and rule-breaking behaviors, are associated with underage alcohol use. The interactive influence of these risk factors on problem alcohol use among minority adolescents is investigated in the present study.Objectives:This study examined the unique and interactive influences of alcohol expectancies and externalizing problems on specific measures of adolescents’ (a) past three-month binge drinking episodes and (b) negative consequences of alcohol use.Methods:Cross-sectional self-report data were collected in 2014 via tablet-based computerized assessments from a predominantly minority sample of 762 (404 females, Mage = 13.73 years, SDage =1.59) 6th, 8th, and 10th grade students recruited from public middle and high schools in Miami-Dade County, FL and Prince George’s County, MD. Students completed surveys on tablets in school settings regarding alcohol expectancies, expectancy valuations, externalizing problem behaviors, past 3-month binge drinking episodes, and experiences of alcohol-related negative consequences.Results:Zero-inflated negative binomial regressions indicated: (1) older adolescents were more likely to report binge drinking; and (2) a significant main effect for externalizing problem behaviors on binge use. Logistic regressions indicated (1) older adolescents were more likely to endorse an alcohol-related negative consequence and (2) the interaction between positive alcohol expectancies and externalizing behaviors was associated with endorsing an alcohol-related negative consequence.Conclusions:Engaging adolescents who exhibit serious externalizing behaviors and report positive alcohol expectancies via developmentally appropriate, tailored interventions is one feasible strategy to address escalation of binge alcohol use and related negative consequences among minority youth.

Consequences of alcohol use, and its association with psychological distress, sensitivity to emotional contagion and age of onset of alcohol use, in Uruguayan youth with or without college degree.

Psychological distress can promote alcohol consumption during emerging adulthood. Still unknown is, however, how predisposition to emotional contagion alters psychological distress, and how these phenomena are affected by level of education. The present study analyzed the effect of psychological distress, age of first contact with alcohol (early, late), and predisposition to emotional contagion on alcohol-induced negative consequences and on the volume of alcohol consumed during the last year. We also described alcohol-use behaviors as a function of sex, maximum level of education and age of first contact with alcohol, in 1505 youth from Uruguay (18-30 years). A survey measured alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and ad-hoc questionnaire), negative consequences of alcohol use [young adult alcohol consequences questionnaire (YAACQ)], psychological distress (Kessler scale) and proclivity to emotional contagion (Doherty Emotional contagion scale). The patterns of alcohol use were greater in men vs. women and in those featuring an early age of first alcohol use, yet similar in college and non-college graduates. Early drinkers had greater levels of psychological distress than late-onset drinkers. There was a significant bivariate and multiple correlation between psychological distress and the number of negative consequences of alcohol experienced during the last year, which remained significant even after controlling for total volume of alcohol consumed. Significant associations emerged between YAACQ scores and frequency of heavy episodic or binge drinking, and between psychological distress and emotional contagion, but not between emotional contagion and any of the remaining variables. Psychological distress was not significantly correlated with heavy episodic or binge drinking. The study indicates that, during adolescence and youth, psychological distress is associated with experiencing negative consequences of alcohol consumption. The study also suggested that greater levels of psychological distress may underlie the facilitating effect of an early age of drinking onset upon alcohol drinking patterns.

Personality traits and negative consequences associated with binge drinking and marijuana use in college students

ABSTRACTBackground: Binge drinking is common in college students, and many drink in quantities greater than the standard definition of bingeing. Combined use of additional substances, particularly marijuana, is also common. Objectives: Increased impulsivity and sensation seeking are risk factors for bingeing, and this study was designed to characterize their association with extreme compared to standard bingeing, as well as with combined bingeing and marijuana use. Negative consequences of alcohol use were also investigated. Methods: Self-report personality measures and a measure of the negative consequences of alcohol use were given to a sample of 221 college students (109 females) sorted into a control and 4 binge groups based upon their patterns of bingeing and marijuana use. Narrowly defined, non-overlapping measures of impulsivity and sensation seeking were analyzed to assess the association of these personality measures with substance-use patterns and negative consequences of bingeing. Results: Standard bingers did not differ from non-bingeing controls on either impulsivity or sensation seeking, whereas extreme bingers had significantly higher impulsivity and sensation seeking scores than controls and also significantly higher sensation seeking than standard bingers. Exploratory analyses of a broader set of personality scales showed that a disinhibition scale was also significant predictor of substance use group. A number of personality traits significantly predicted substance use patterns as well as specific negative consequences of bingeing. Conclusions: Impulsivity, sensation seeking and disinhibition are significant associates of substance use patterns and the negative consequences of use in college students.

The Sequential Indirect Effect of Negative Urgency on Drinking Consequences Through Distress Intolerance and Drinking Motives: Initial Examination in College Students Reporting Past Month Alcohol Use.

Identification of cognitive and affective vulnerabilities among college drinkers may aid in developing focused interventions that promote a reduction in the prevalence of alcohol use. Negative urgency (NU) and distress intolerance (DI) evidence concurrent, unique, and synergistic relations with drinking motives and negative consequences of alcohol use. Utilizing a sequential multiple mediation framework to investigate a comprehensive model of these variables, we examined NU as a behavioral risk factor that potentiates the development of DI, thereby contributing to drinking motives that increase the risk of problematic use in young adults. A diverse sample of undergraduate students (N = 616; M age= 19.1, SD=1.4, range=18-25; 50.6% female; 60.6% Caucasian; recruited between September 2015 and Spring 2017) reporting past month alcohol use completed an online questionnaire battery. The results suggested that NU may contribute to negative alcohol use outcomes via its relation to DI and the motivation to drink in order to cope with negative emotional states and conform to social pressure. These findings suggest that NU may be a primary intervention target in young adults.

Correlates and predictors of alcohol consumption and negative consequences of alcohol use among Latino migrant farmworkers in Nebraska.

Alcohol is a significant issue among the Latino farmworker population. This study used cross-sectional data from the Nebraska Migrant Farmworker Health Study, 2016 (N = 241) to (1) describe drinking behavior, (2) evaluate associations between alcohol consumption and negative consequences from alcohol use and various social and demographic variables, and (3) assess contextual and interpersonal predictors of alcohol consumption and negative consequences from alcohol use. Descriptive, bivariate statistics and hierarchical multiple regression were used. Results indicated that over 30% of participants had engaged in heavy drinking in the last year. Alcohol consumption was significantly positively associated with negative consequences of alcohol use and significantly negatively associated with work safety climate and age. Negative consequences from alcohol use was significantly negatively associated with work safety climate. Significant predictors of alcohol consumption included work safety climate and age. Being married or in a relationship, alcohol consumption, and work safety climate were significant predictors of negative consequences from alcohol use. This study highlights the potential positive spillover effect of work safety climate on worker drinking behaviors. Implications and recommendations for agricultural employers, farmworker health advocates, and social service agencies are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Couple Interdependence Impacts Alcohol Use and Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in Malawi.

In sub-Saharan Africa, harmful alcohol use among male drinkers is high and has deleterious consequences on adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV clinical outcomes, and couple relationship dynamics. We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 25 Malawian couples on ART to understand how relationships influence adherence to ART, in which alcohol use emerged as a major theme. Almost half of men (40%) reported current or past alcohol use. Although alcohol use was linked to men's non-adherence, women buffered this harm by encouraging husbands to reduce alcohol use and by offering adherence support when men were drinking. Men's drinking interfered with being an effective treatment guardian for wives on ART and also weakened couple support systems needed for adherence. Relationship challenges including food insecurity, intimate partner violence, and extramarital relationships appeared to exacerbate the negative consequences of alcohol use on ART adherence. In this setting, alcohol may be best understood as a couple-level issue. Alcohol interventions for people living with HIV should consider approaches that jointly engage both partners.

Anxiety Sensitivity in Association With Alcohol-Related Behaviors Among College Students: The Role of Negative Urgency

Extant work has documented the relationship between anxiety sensitivity (AS) and problematic alcohol-related behaviors. However, research on the underlying mechanisms may serve to better explain their association. The present study tested the hypothesis that AS would exert an indirect effect on alcohol-related behaviors through negative urgency among a sample of 507 college students (74.4% female; mean age = 22.07 years; SD = 3.83; age range: 18-47 years) who reported at least one heavy episodic drinking (HED) event in the previous month and at least one lifetime sexual partner. Alcohol-related behaviors included sex-related alcohol negative consequences, negative consequences of alcohol use, and alcohol-related protective behavioral strategies. Results indicated that AS was not directly related to alcohol-related behaviors after accounting for negative urgency. However, AS did yield a significant indirect effect through negative urgency for sex-related alcohol negative consequences, negative consequences of alcohol use, and alcohol-related protective behavioral strategies. These findings remained significant after controlling for gender, age, fraternity/sorority membership, number of lifetime sexual partners, negative affectivity, and typical drinking in the past month. Findings provided novel empirical evidence that, among college students, AS may be a risk factor for alcohol-related behaviors indirectly through negative urgency. Overall, the present investigation extends the growing body of literature aimed to explicate the relationship between AS and alcohol-related behaviors and may aid in intervention approaches among college students.

Internalizing Risk Factors for College Students' Alcohol use: A Combined Person- and Variable-Centered Approach

ABSTRACTBackground: Most studies that investigate internalizing problems (i.e., depression and anxiety symptoms) and alcohol use disorders use variable-centered approaches, losing important information about differences among individuals. Objectives: To group college students by different profiles of alcohol-use risk factors using a person-centered cluster analysis in two separate samples. Methods: Questionnaires were used in both studies to assess positive expectancies regarding alcohol use, coping motives for alcohol use, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. In the first study (2012), we collected information about past month alcohol use, including frequency and binge drinking episode (n = 171). In the second study (2013), we also included measures of externalizing behaviors and negative alcohol-related consequences (n = 526). Results: In Study 1, the cluster analysis identified four groups of students who displayed different patterns of risk: a low-risk group, moderate cognitions/low internalizing cluster, a high internalizing/low coping motives group of drinkers, and a high internalizing/high coping motives cluster of drinkers. This fourth group showed high levels of depression, moderate anxiety, high positive expectancies and coping motives for alcohol use, and reported the highest frequency of alcohol use. Study 2 replicated the findings from the previous study. Three groups of individuals were identified, replicating the low-risk cluster, the moderate cognitions/low internalizing cluster, and the internalizing cluster of drinkers from Study 1. Participants in the latter cluster endorsed the highest number of negative consequences of alcohol use. Conclusions: Results from both studies highlight the importance of tailoring alcohol abuse prevention efforts to a subgroup young adult who endorse internalizing symptoms.

Individual, interpersonal, and contextual factors associated with discrepancies between intended and actual spring break drinking

The purpose of the present paper was to examine the extent to which college students underestimate the quantity of alcohol they will consume during Spring Break (SB), and whether individual, interpersonal, and contextual factors may be related to underestimation of SB drinking and drinking consequences. College students participated in web-based surveys prior to and after SB (N=603; 57% women). Overall, results indicated that individual factors (being male, being a member of a fraternity or sorority, previously experiencing more alcohol-related consequences, and intending to drink less during SB), interpersonal factors (reporting friends encourage getting drunk), and contextual factors (going on a SB trip with friends and receiving drinks from others) predicted underestimating peak drinks consumed during SB. Underestimating the peak number of drinks to be consumed on SB was associated with experiencing a greater number of alcohol-related consequences. Targeted interventions designed specifically to focus on underestimation of college student drinking and the impact of SB contextual and interpersonal factors may be an important area of study to reduce negative consequences of alcohol use during SB.

Do Adolescent Perceptions of Parents’ Alcohol Consumption Undermine or Enhance What Parents Say About Alcohol? The Interaction Between Verbal and Nonverbal Messages

Utilizing a focus theory of normative conduct and primary socialization theory, this study hypothesized that parents’ references to the negative consequences of alcohol use, to their own past use, to conditional permissive messages about use, and to drinking responsibly (all from the adolescents’ perspectives) are indirectly related to adolescents’ intention to drink alcohol through their pro-alcohol norms. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that parents’ alcohol consumption, as perceived by the adolescents, would moderate these indirect associations. Using cross-sectional survey data from 259 high school students, parents’ references to the negative consequences of alcohol use were related to weaker pro-alcohol norms, and in turn, weaker alcohol-use intention. By contrast, parents’ conditional permissive messages and references to drinking responsibly were related to stronger pro-alcohol norms, and in turn, stronger alcohol-use intention. Adolescents’ perceptions of their mother’s and father’s alcohol consumption were significant moderators of what they said to their children about alcohol.

Moving Beyond Drinking to Have a Good Time: a Person-Centered Approach to Identifying Reason Typologies in Legal-Aged College Student Drinkers.

Alcohol use, reasons for use, and consequences of use continue to be a major concern in college student populations. This is especially true for students of legal drinking age who may experience different reasons for and greater negative consequences of alcohol use than students under 21years old. Although multiple studies have used person-centered approaches to understand motivations for and ultimately prevent alcohol use, few have identified multiple typologies of reasons for alcohol use. The current study used latent class analysis to identify homogeneous subtypes of reasons for alcohol use and how classification was associated with alcohol-related consequences in college students aged 21years old and older (N = 2300) from the 2013 Indiana College Substance Use Survey. Four profiles of reasons for alcohol use emerged across males and females: social drinkers, feel good drinkers, relaxed escaping drinkers, and emotion coping drinkers. Although the likelihood of consequences differed across gender, the emotion coping drinkers were more likely to experience all negative consequences, suggesting that it was a high-risk class. In general, this pattern of risk continued with the feel good drinkers and female relaxed escaping drinkers. These results can help optimize college substance use prevention and intervention efforts to (1) identify and understand characteristics of high- and low-risk student drinkers and (2) tailor the content of interventions to those specific profiles resulting in more effective approaches to reducing alcohol use.