NCJ Number
130692
Journal
Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education Volume: 36 Issue: 3 Dated: (Spring 1991) Pages: 46-53
Date Published
1991
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study compared the relative efficacy of three drinking indices in predicting the presence of drinking problems in male and female college students.
Abstract
The sample included 55 males and 64 females enrolled in introductory psychology at two, 4-year colleges. The three indices used were quantity, frequency, and quantity times frequency. The product of the quantity-frequency (QXF) index can also be used to identify problem from non-problem drinkers and to assess symptomatic drinking behavior. Quantity was expected to be more strongly associated to signs of problem drinking in college students than frequency or QXF indices. The results showed that drinking frequency is more strongly associated than quantity of intake with problem drinking in male and female college students. The study also showed that male quantity and frequency indices are much more strongly related than are female ones. The article concludes with the idea that frequency of drinking is at least as good an indicator of drinking problems in young adults as the more cumbersome QXF index and that frequency is the best predictor of female drinking problems. 2 tables and 12 references (Author abstract modified)