Title

Alcohol use among college students: A comparison of athletes and nonathletes

Authors

Authors

J. A. Ford

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

Subst. Use Misuse

Keywords

alcohol use; athletics; binge drinking; college students; health risk; behaviors; social norms; BINGE-DRINKING; PEER INFLUENCES; SOCIAL-CONTEXT; SUBSTANCE USE; DRUG-USE; NORMS; CONSEQUENCES; HEALTH; INVOLVEMENT; ADOLESCENTS; Substance Abuse; Psychiatry; Psychology

Abstract

This study examines alcohol use among college students, focusing on variation in binge drinking based on involvement in athletics. Prior research indicates that college students who participate in athletics are more likely to report binge drinking than are students who are not involved in athletics. However, existing research has not offered an explanation why college athletes are at a greater risk for binge drinking. Using data from the 1999 Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study, a national study examining substance use and other health risk behaviors of college students in the United States, the current research examines social norms as a possible source of the elevated levels of binge drinking among college athletes. Findings indicate that athletes are more likely to report binge drinking, in part, because they view alcohol use as being more normative. The limitations of the study are noted.

Journal Title

Substance Use & Misuse

Volume

42

Issue/Number

9

Publication Date

1-1-2007

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

1367

Last Page

1377

WOS Identifier

WOS:000249241200002

ISSN

1082-6084

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