Transitions in risk-behavior profiles among first-year college students

Abstract

Objective

The current study utilized a longitudinal person-centered approach (latent transition analysis [LTA]) to assess transitions into and out of risk-behavior profiles during the transition into and throughout the first year of college. Participants: Participants included 579 first-year college students (Mage = 18.13, SD = .94) from a large mid-Atlantic university. Methods: Participants completed surveys at five points throughout their freshman year. Results: LTA suggested that most individuals either abstained from engaging in risk behaviors or transitioned toward profiles of less risk over time. A smaller portion of individuals either began and ended the year in the same risk profile or transitioned into profiles of greater risk. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of utilizing person-centered analyses to examine change in multiple health-risk behaviors.

Keywords:

• First-year college students
• latent transition analysis
• physical activity
• risky sexual behaviors
• substance use

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of US and received approval from the West Virginia University Institutional Review Board.

Correction statement

This manuscirpt was republished with minor changes that do not affect the academic content.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS U54GM104942-03) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC U48 DP005004) to the WV Prevention Research Center.