Towards the development of laboratory methods for studying drinking games: Initial findings, methodological considerations, and future directions

Abstract

Background: Drinking games are prevalent among college students and are associated with increased alcohol use and negative alcohol-related consequences. There has been substantial growth in research on drinking games. However, the majority of published studies rely on retrospective self-reports of behavior and very few studies have made use of laboratory procedures to systematically observe drinking game behavior. Objectives: The current paper draws on the authors’ experiences designing and implementing methods for the study of drinking games in the laboratory. Results: The paper addressed the following key design features: (a) drinking game selection; (b) beverage selection; (c) standardizing game play; (d) selection of dependent and independent variables; and (e) creating a realistic drinking game environment. Conclusions: The goal of this methodological review paper is to encourage other researchers to pursue laboratory research on drinking game behavior. Use of laboratory-based methodologies will facilitate a better understanding of the dynamics of risky drinking and inform prevention and intervention efforts.

• Alcohol
• college students
• drinking games

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism grants R01 AA017427 and VISN1 Career Development Award V1CDA2012-18 to B. Borsari. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the United States Government.