Changes in Drinking Patterns Across the Transition to College Among First-Year College Males

Abstract

Few studies examine changes in drinking behavior during the transition from high school to college. Using a sample of 239 first-year males, we hypothesized that participants would increase drinking from pre-college to the first month of college. Results reveal a general trend toward increased drinking upon entering college. Caucasians increased drinking more than non-Caucasians. Social expectancies of alcohol moderated increases in drinking behavior. These findings indicate that differential changes in drinking behavior occur among incoming college males. Interventions with college students need to address both preventing heavy consumption and alcohol-related problems in pre-college light drinkers and in reducing these behaviors among pre-college heavy drinkers.

KEYWORDS:

• alcohol
• binge drinking
• college
• expectancies
• transition

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by Grant Q184H030069 from the United States Department of Education Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools and Grant U18AA015451-01 from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Notes

Note: *Represents a significant increase from pre-college to first month of college (*p < .05, **p < .01, ***p < .001). All drinking variables and expectancy variables during equivalent time periods are significantly different between pre-college non-drinkers and pre-college drinkers at p < .001.

Note: *Represents a significant increase from pre-college to first month of college (*p < .05, **p < .01, ***p < .001). All drinking variables and expectancy variables during equivalent time periods are significantly different between Caucasians and non-Caucasians at p < .05.