Do Academic and Social Goals Predict Planned Alcohol Use Among College-Bound High School Graduates?

• NCJ Number: 216648
• Journal: Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 35 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2006 Pages: 913-923
• Author(s): Brittany L. Rhoades; Jennifer L. Maggs
• Date Published: December 2006
• Length: 11 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services; Alcoholic Beverage Medical Research Foundation
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined whether 943 college-bound high-school graduates' academic and social goals predicted their planned frequency and quantity of alcohol use during their first year of college.

Abstract

Study findings confirmed past research in showing that males, those who planned to join a fraternity or sorority, and those who were not members of the Honors program planned to drink alcoholic beverages more often and more drinks per occasion. Students who considered academic goals as less important and more difficult/stressful planned to drink more often, but not significantly more drinks per occasion. Students who considered social goals as more important and less difficult/stressful than academic goals planned to drink more often and have more drinks per occasion. The links between academic and social goals and alcohol use were generally similar regardless of gender, fraternity/sorority status, and Honors membership. Also, academic and social goals continued to predict planned alcohol uniquely after controlling for the frequency and quantity of alcohol use during students' senior year of high school. These findings suggest the importance of having students examine their drinking behavior in college in relationship to the long-term goals for their lives. Another strategy is to provide alcohol-free social activities, in order to show that parties and social interaction can be satisfying without consuming alcohol. Questionnaire data were collected at the beginning of a mandatory 2-day Freshman Orientation sessions. The 943 students reported on gender, the desire to join a fraternity or sorority, and whether they would be in the academic Honors program. Measures of frequency and quantity of planned alcohol use were adapted from previous research. In order to measure the strength of social and academic goals, students were asked to rate how important "getting good grades" and "making friends" were for them in the upcoming academic year. 3 tables and 53 references