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

    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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