NCJ Number
219484
Journal
Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education Volume: 51 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2007 Pages: 8-25
Date Published
June 2007
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This article combined self-report measures with an autophotographic essay to explore the alcohol consumption patterns and associated problem behaviors among college students.
Abstract
Results indicated that students who related to an “alcohol identity” as evidenced both in their survey responses and autophotographic survey were more likely than their peers to consume more alcohol more frequently. The “alcohol identity” also predicted alcohol-related problem behaviors, such as driving under the influence, binge drinking, drinking to get drunk, and participating in drinking games. The findings suggest that having an “alcohol identity” predicts problematic alcohol use and provides support for the photo essay research methodology as a promising avenue for exploring facets of behavior and personality. The authors suggest that the autophotographic methodology might be a good starting point for therapeutic dialog regarding problem alcohol use and related behaviors. Participants were 135 college students recruited from an undergraduate psychology course. Participants voluntarily completed a self-report survey focusing on their alcohol consumption patterns and an autophotographic essay in which participants compiled 20 photographs answering the question, “Who are you?” and provided written commentary regarding the photographs. The authors point out that a full 71 percent of the sample provided at least one photograph of themselves that scored on the alcohol identity code. Data were analyzed using hierarchical regression models. References, tables, figure