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College Party Characteristics Related to Likelihood of High-Risk Drinking
May 5, 2008

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Research Summary

High-risk drinking among college students is related to the types of parties they attend, according to a recent web survey of undergraduate students attending two large urban universities.

Of students attending one or more parties during the previous extended weekend (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday), 10% reported getting drunk on all three days (a measure of high-risk drinking).

The percentage of students getting drunk on all three days, however, varied depending on several party characteristics.

For example, students who attended a party where alcohol was available were more likely to report getting drunk on all three days than those attending parties where alcohol was not available (10.5% vs. 0.5%). Likewise, students who went to a party where beer was provided in kegs were more likely to report three-day drunkenness (14.5% vs. 6.8%), as were those who attended a party where they did not know the host (13.5% vs. 8.6%).

Other party factors related to being drunk on all three days included the size of the party (larger parties), the location of the party (tailgating, fraternity house, off-campus near the university), and the number of friends the student attended the party with (larger number of friends).

The authors conclude that the identification of these high-risk drinking party characteristics provides "important information needed for the development of both primary and secondary environmental prevention interventions."

For details, including data charts, source information and caveats, download the PDF.

Reprinted from CESAR Fax, a weekly, one-page overview of timely substance abuse trends or issues, from the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) at the University of Maryland.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:
(Comments now appear first to last)

Posted by Laurey Jaros on 06 May 08 11:18 AM EDT
Re the research on college party characteristics relating to attendees being drunk? I could have written that one, based only on my college clients. This research was, in my opinion, a giant waste of money, and I sure do hope it wasn't taspayers' money that was being wasted. Please. Tell me something I don't know merely by doing my job.

Posted by Lew Bryson on 06 May 08 12:30 PM EDT
I'm with Laurey: more students got drunk at parties WITH alcohol than at parties WITHOUT? Could we fund USEFUL research that might help solve the problem? If not, where can I sign up for these grants?

Posted by Beth Crane on 06 May 08 10:55 PM EDT
Possily the study was conducted by the partygoers themselves...

Posted by Marty on 08 May 08 03:36 PM EDT
I think the more people at a party, the less the kids feel embarrassed for being drunk. It is easier to make a fool of yourself if you don't know everyone. Does this study tell us anything? Not.

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