|
| Situational and Behavioral Factors Related to Alcohol Consumption in High-Risk Drinking Environments |
| Monday, May 28, 2007 |
| 10:30 AM–11:50 AM |
| Gregory AB |
| Area: CSE/EAB; Domain: Applied Research |
| Chair: Kent E. Glindemann (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) |
| Discussant: Steven W. Clarke (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) |
| Abstract: Three data-based presentations on student alcohol use and abuse will be presented. The first paper presents data assessing the relation between various environmental factors at tailgate parties that predict alcohol consumption intoxication level and risk for DUI. Implications for developing interventions to reduce high-risk drinking before and DUI following football games will be discussed. The second presentation reports on research conducted at fraternity parties. The methodology employed involved observing the behavior of partygoers, recording and evaluating compliance with university risk-management policies, and identifying relations among specific environmental variables and intoxication levels. Implications and recommendations for improving alcohol risk-management will be discussed. The third paper presents research investigated the effectiveness of various program components designed to reduce alcohol consumption during and after prom, across three years at five rural high schools. Results regarding the efficacy of these programs will be discussed with implications for designing interventions to curtail alcohol use at prom dances. The discussant will address the effects of the various drinking environments on alcohol consumption, identifying similarities and differences across various drinking environment that promote alcohol consumption. |
| |
| Environmental Factors Related to Alcohol Consumption at Tailgate Parties Before NCCA Division 1-A Football Games. |
| ELISE A. DRAKE (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), Matthew G. Cox (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), Thomas R. Cunningham (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), Leah Farrell (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) |
| Abstract: This field study was designed to study environmental factors related to intoxication levels of tailgaters before and following collegiate football games. Participants included 544 individuals (321 men and 223 women) attending tailgate parties at before one of six NCAA Division 1-A college football games. Before each game, research assistants approached tailgate parties in as they entered randomly selected area of parking lots. Participants allowed researchers to perform an audit of their tailgate environment (e.g., food, beverages, tents, banners, and university attire), answered a few questions, and receive an estimate of their BAC using a hand-held breathalyzer. They also agreed to self-administer a Breathscan® tester immediately after the game. All participants were entered in a raffle to win signed sports memorabilia. Results indicated that amount of food and nonalcoholic beverages, and age were negatively correlated with intoxication, and that the amount of alcohol present, size of tailgate party were positively correlated with alcohol consumption.. As in previous studies men were more intoxicated than women and 35% of drivers had a BAC above .05 following the game. Implications for developing interventions to reduce alcohol consumption at tailgate parties, and prevent DUI will be discussed. |
| |
| A Systematic Assessment of Environmental Factors Related to Alcohol Consumption at University Fraternity Parties. |
| KENT E. GLINDEMANN (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), Elise A. Drake (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), Steven W. Clarke (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), E. Scott Geller (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) |
| Abstract: College student alcohol use continues to be a concern on this nation’s campuses, contributing to a variety of negative consequences ranging from physical harm to reduced academic success, and impaired decision-making to driving under the influence (DUI). To further study this complex problem, this three-year research project applied behavioral science strategies to systematically study fraternity party environments to identify specific factors related to alcohol consumption and the intoxication of partygoers. Participants included 2,541 university students (1,587 men, 954 women) attending one of 48 fraternity-sponsored parties at Virginia Tech. The primary dependent variable collected was the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of partygoers from 12:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. - a peak time for most fraternity parties. The research methodology employed involved observing the behavior of partygoers, recording and evaluating compliance with university risk-management policies, and identifying relations among specific environmental variables, drinking behaviors, and intoxication levels by: a) surveying students about their experiences of alcohol-related outcomes, b) observing alcohol consumption and related behaviors at fraternity parties, and c) assessing participants’ levels of intoxication near the end of the same fraternity parties using handheld breathalyzers. Results will be discussed with implications for risk-management strategies designed to curtail excessive student alcohol consumption. |
| |
| Impacting Prom Night Safety: A Three-Year Study of Prevention Intervention Programs Designed to Ameliorate High-Risk Student Behaviors on Prom Night. |
| RYAN C. SMITH (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), Kent E. Glindemann (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), Angela Sylvina (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) |
| Abstract: Alcohol consumption and subsequent negative outcomes from high school prom dances is a highly recognized problem. Intervention programs utilizing Fatal Vision® goggles, pledge cards, and after-prom parties have been developed and independently incorporated into high schools across the country. However, to date little or no outcome data have been collected to determine the efficacy of these programs. This study investigated the effectiveness of these various programs and their components across three years at five rural high schools in eastern Virginia. Programs were implemented during the week prior to prom, and after-prom parties were held immediately after a school’s prom. The week following the proms, students were asked to complete an evaluative survey asking them about their degree of exposure to the various intervention programs and their subsequent prom-night behaviors. Results regarding the efficacy of these programs will be discussed with implications for future interventions designed to curtail alcohol use among high school students attending prom dances. |
|
| |