Who uses alcohol mixed with energy drinks? Characteristics of college student users

ABSTRACT

Objective: To examine characteristics associated with alcohol mixed with energy drink (AmED) use in a sample of college students. Participants: College students (N = 614, 53% female) in their second year of college participated during the fall of 2008. Methods: Students completed a cross-sectional survey with questions regarding AmED use. Results: AmED use in the last 30 days was reported by 27% of participants. Logistic regression analyses found that risk factors for AmED included participating in a fraternity/sorority; participating in athletics; living off-campus; having greater fun/social, relax, and image motives for alcohol consumption; and binge drinking. Protective factors included early morning classes, honors program participation, and greater physical/behavioral motives for not drinking. Conclusions: Risk factors for AmED use can identify college students most likely to consume AmEDs and thereby inform screening and intervention efforts to reduce negative AmED-related consequences.

KEYWORDS:

• Alcohol
• characteristics
• college
• energy drinks
• student

Funding

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism funded the data collection (R01 AA019606 to J. Maggs) and manuscript preparation (R21 AA021426 to M. Patrick). The content here is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the sponsors.