Student Drinking
Spring 2011
INTRODUCTION
This survey, conducted by Student Affairs Research and Assessment, provides data on alcohol use and high-risk
drinking behavior of undergraduate students at University Park. Survey questions focus on students' alcohol
consumption, the direct and indirect consequences of that consumption, and protective and risk behaviors associated
with drinking. While this topic has been assessed regularly since 1995, the survey was significantly revised in 2008 with
the assistance of Dr. Rob Turrisi and staff in the Penn State Prevention Research Center and has been conducted
annually since that year. Although some pre-2008 comparisons can be made, other findings are only comparable to
data gathered since 2008. Primarily, 2008 data are presented in this report for comparison. Data from other years are
available at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/assessment/alphapulse.shtml.
This survey was administered by phone and web. At University Park, a random sample of 5,992 undergraduate
students were invited to participate. In total, 1,798 students completed the survey for a 30.0% response rate. By
phone, 590 participated; 1,208 participated by web. The confidence interval for the resulting sample is +/-2.25%. Of the
respondents, 53.3% were between 18 and 20 years of age and 46.7% were 21 or older. Women were 50.3% of
respondents; 81.3% were White/Caucasian; 37.6% lived on campus (excluding sorority housing); 14.8% are first-years,
20.0% are sophomores, 32.2% are juniors, and 33.0% are seniors; and 74.6% began their Penn State career at
University Park. For information on the Pulse methodology, please visit:
http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/assessment/pulse.
Alcohol use
and high-risk
drinking
behavior at
University Park
FINDINGS
Alcohol Consumption
Prevalence of Alcohol Use
•
When asked how they would best describe their alcohol usage, the majority of
students (72.2%) reported being either “light” or “moderate” drinkers (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Students' Self-Reported Drinking Behavior
2008
2011
Students
43.5%
32.1% 33.5%
17.7%
38.7%
23.3%
6.7%
Never tried or don't
currently drink
Light drinkers
Moderate drinkers
4.6%
Heavy drinkers
Penn State Pulse is a project of Student Affairs Research and Assessment.
For further information, please visit www.studentaffairs.psu.edu/assessment or contact
Dr. Betty Harper, [email protected], 222 Boucke, University Park, PA 16802, (814) 863-1809.
U.Ed. STA 11-68
This publication is available in alternative media on request. Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.
•
•
In addition, 57.1% indicated they had tried alcohol (more than a few sips) prior to the age of 18.
While 20.6% reported they have n
never gotten drunk, 42.3% had gotten drunk for the
e first time prior to the
age of 18.
Quantity of Consumption
Students were asked about their drinkin
ng behavior on
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturd
day nights of a
typical week during this academic year.
• Roughly 69% (69.6 and 69.2, respectively) of students reported drinking on Friday and
a Saturday nights of a
typical week, whereas 13.8% reporrted drinking on Wednesday nights and 39.6% on Th
hursday nights (Table 1).
• In most cases, the percentage of sstudents who reported drinking on a given night was
w lower than it was in
2008 (Table 1) and in the intervenin
ng years.
• The average numbers of drinks peer hour of students who drink on a given night wass also lower than in 2008
(Figure 2).
• The Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) llevels of students who drink were higher on the weekends at .08 on Friday
and .09 on Saturday nights comparred to .04 on Wednesday and .06 on Thursday eveniings (Table 1).
• The BAC levels of students for each night in the 2011 administration were lower th
han those of students in
2008 (Table 1) and intervening years.
Table 1. Nightly Alcohol Use During a Tyypical Week
% Who are Drinking
Avg. # of Drinks
Night
2008
2011
2008
2011
Wednesday
16.7
13.8
0.62
0.42
Thursday
45.0
39.6
2.31
1.69
Friday
77.7
69.6
4.81
3.86
Saturday
75.5
69.2
4.83
3.95
Avg. # of Hours
2008
2011
0.43
0.32
1.49
1.21
3.23
2.75
3.27
2.81
Avg. BAC*
2008
2011
0.059
0.042
0.087
0.064
0.103
0.083
0.105
0.085
* BAC is reported for drinkers only. All other data in this table represent all respondents.
Figure 2. Avgg. Number of Drinks Per Hour (Drinkers only)
Drinks per Hour
2008
1.6
1.6
1.3
Wednesday
2011
1.5
1.4
Thursday
1.4
Friday
1.5
1.4
S
Saturday
Students were also asked how many timess they got drunk during a typical month of the curre
ent academic year and of
their senior year in high school (Figure 3).
• During the current academic yearr, 22.5% of students indicated they got drunk on 7 or more days during a
typical month, whereas 31.4% indiccated they don’t drink or didn’t get drunk.
• In comparison, 58.9% of students reported that they did not get drunk during a typiccal month of their senior
year in high school and only 4.6% ggot drunk 7 or more days.
• Men, White students, students o
of legal drinking age, students with lower college
e GPAs, and off-campus
students were significantly moree likely to report getting drunk in high schoo
ol than their respective
counterparts (analysis not shown).
2
Figure 3. Number of Days Students Got Drunk During a Typical Month
Senior Year of High School
Students
58.9%
Current Academic Year
31.4%
23.2%
22.5%
21.1%
13.1%
12.0%
9.0%
Never/don't/didn't
drink
1 to 2 days
4.2%
3 to 4 days
5 to 6 days
4.6%
7 or more days
Peak Drinking Behavior
Students were asked to report on the occasion when they drank the most in the previous three months. On that
occasion, students averaged 7.52 drinks over 4.38 hours.
• 64.2% of students who drink consumed two or less drinks per hour (Figure 4) during peak drinking occasions,
with an overall average of 2.09 drinks per hour, compared to an average of 2.39 drinks per hour in 2008.
• Students, on average, reported drinking at this peak volume 2.80 times during the three month period. Over
half (58.0%) reported drinking at a peak level 1 to 2 times; 15.5%, 3 to 4 times; and 15.5%, 5 or more times
(with 10.9% reporting they didn’t drink).
• While 27.0% of students who drink reported peak drinking behavior resulting in a BAC of .079 or lower (below
the legal limit of .080), 19.8% indicated a BAC of .250 or higher (Figure 5).
Figure 4. Drinks Consumed per Hour During Peak Drinking (Drinkers Only)
2008
2011
Students
42.9% 42.9%
25.0%
21.3%
22.1%
15.4%
16.7%
>0 to ≤ 1 drinks
>1 to ≤ 2 drinks
> 2 to ≤ 3 drinks
13.7%
> 3 drinks
Figure 5. Blood Alcohol Content of Drinkers
During Peak Drinking Experience
19.8%
27.0%
BAC
≥ .250
BAC:
.160 - .159
25.5%
BAC:
≤.079
BAC:
.080 - .159
27.7%
A BAC of:
.040 - .079
Can cause:
Lower inhibition, minor reasoning impairment
.080 - .159
Impaired balance, speech, judgment,
reasoning, reaction time
.160 - .249
Nausea, anxiety, disorientation, vomiting,
memory loss
≥.250
Severe mental, physical sensory impairment,
possible death
3
High-Risk Drinking
High-risk, or binge drinking, is defined as having four or more drinks in a two-hour period for women and five or more
drinks in a two-hour period for men. Frequent high-risk drinkers are those students who report having binged three or
more times during a two-week period. Occasional high-risk drinkers are those who report having binged one or two
times during a two-week period.
• Just under half of the respondents (47.5%) reported engaging in high-risk drinking behavior in the previous
two weeks with 18.6% being classified as frequent high-risk drinkers (Figure 6).
• These data indicate a slight decline in high-risk drinking since 2008, when 52.8% of students reported engaging
in this activity.
• Similar to previous years (with the exception of 2010), men engaged in high-risk drinking at a greater rate than
women (52.6% compared to 42.5% respectively) (Figure 7).
• The 2008-11 high-risk drinking rates are lower than what had been reported in recent years (58.9% in 2006,
55.2% in 2004, and 60.4% in 2003). The question, however, was revised in 2008 which may account for the
difference. Since 2008, the question has been based on the number of drinks consumed during “a two-hour
period” as compared to “in one sitting” or “in a row” that had been asked in the previous years.
Figure 6. Number of Times Students Engaged in High-Risk Drinking
During a Two-Week Period
2008
2011
52.5%
Students
47.2%
28.7% 28.8%
14.6% 12.6%
0/don't drink
1-2 times
3-4 times
9.4%
6.0%
5 or more times
Figure 7. Percentage of Male and Female Students
Who Engage in High-Risk Drinking
Men
60.6%
Percent
59.0%
Women
54.0%
52.6%
52.0%
48.1%
42.5%
46.4%
2008
•
•
2009
2010
2011
As depicted in Figure 8, men, White students, off-campus residents, and students of legal drinking age were
significantly more likely to report engaging in high-risk drinking behavior than their counterparts.
Evidence suggests a significant inverse relationship between high-risk drinking and GPA (Figure 8).
4
Figure 8. Percentage of High-Risk Drinkers within Groups
Men
Women
52.6%
42.5%
White students
Students of color
51.1%
36.0%
Off-campus
On-campus
53.8%
37.1%
21 & older
Under 21
53.9%
41.5%
GPA < 3.00
GPA 3.00-3.29
GPA 3.30-3.59
GPA 3.60-4.00
52.3%
54.9%
48.4%
41.9%
Percent
Perceptions of Alcohol Use
Students were asked how much alcohol they think a typical Penn State student of their same sex consumes on a
typical Thursday, Friday, or Saturday evening. These perceptions of alcohol use are compared to the actual reported
behavior for female and male students in Figure 9. As demonstrated, students perceive a higher quantity of alcohol
consumed than what is actually reported, a trend that is consistent over time (data not shown). In addition, both
women's and men's perceptions in 2011 are similar to previous years (data not shown).
Figure 9. Perceptions v. Reported Behavior by Gender: Avg Number of Drinks
Consumed in a Typical Evening
Perception of others' drinking
Own reported behavior
Number of Drinks
Men
Women
7.1
6.9
4.8
4.4
3.5
2.1
Thursday
5.6
5.5
4.9
2.9
3.0
1.3
Friday
Saturday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Consequences of Alcohol Use
Students were also asked about a series of consequences of alcohol use–both direct (resulting from their own drinking)
and indirect (resulting from other students’ drinking)1.
1
These questions are used with permission from the Harvard School of Health.
5
Indirect Consequences
The data regarding students experiencing consequences as a result of other students’ drinking are presented in Table 2.
These questions were asked of students who drink and students who do not. These questions have been used in
drinking surveys going back to 2003 and data from 2003, 2006, and 2008 are provided for comparison points.
• 62.7% of students reported having had to ‘baby-sit’ a student who drank too much and similar numbers
(59.7%) had their studying or sleep interrupted during this academic year.
• 36.4% had been insulted or humiliated, and 30.9% had had a serious argument or quarrel as a result of
someone else’s drinking during this academic year.
• From 2003 to 2006, there was a general upward trend in negative indirect consequences. Those consequences
peaked in 2006 and 2008 and since that time have declined (Table 2).
Table 2. Percentages of Students Experiencing Indirect Consequences from Other Students’ Drinking
Indirect Consequence
2003 (%)
2006 (%)
2008 (%)
2011 (%)
Had to ‘baby-sit’ a student who drank too much
56.5
64.0
65.7
62.7
Had your studying or sleep interrupted
59.4
70.5
66.0
59.7
Been insulted or humiliated
27.4
36.9
40.6
36.4
Had a serious argument or quarrel
32.0
44.5
38.6
30.9
Had your property damaged
22.5
31.4
21.9
17.0
Been pushed, hit, or assaulted
12.6
20.1
17.7
14.0
Been a victim of unwanted sexual experience
3.5
5.8
5.5
6.2
Direct Consequences
All student participants reported on a variety of physical, academic, interpersonal, legal, and sexual consequences
they experienced as a result of their own drinking during the current academic year2.
• 60.5% reported having had a hangover or headache the morning after drinking, compared to 68.1% in 2008
(Table 3).
• Just less than half reported having felt sick to their stomach or thrown up (45.1%) and being unable to
remember part of the previous evening (43.0%) (Table 3).
• 25.2% reported missing a class because of their alcohol use, compared to 32.4% in 2008 (Table 3).
• 29.8% reported doing something they later regretted, compared to 37.1% in 2008 (Table 3).
Table 3. Percentages of Students Experiencing Physical, Academic & Interpersonal Consequences from Drinking
2008 (%)
2011 (%)
Direct Consequences: Physical
Had a hangover/headache the morning after drinking
68.1
60.5
Felt sick to your stomach or thrown up
49.3
45.1
Been unable to remember a part of the previous evening
48.1
43.0
Been hurt or injured
14.6
12.3
Gotten into a physical fight
7.3
5.8
Direct Consequences: Academic
Missed class
32.4
25.2
Gotten behind in school work
26.4
22.0
Had difficulty concentrating in class
24.2
19.8
Performed poorly on an assignment or test
15.6
12.6
Direct Consequences: Interpersonal
Done something you later regretted
37.1
29.8
Become rude, obnoxious, or insulting
36.5
28.5
22.8
Felt guilty about your drinking
28.4
2
These percentages represent all respondents. In several cases, the questions asked were also asked in previous surveys on student drinking.
Comparison data are available.
6
•
•
•
•
In addition, 4.7% indicated they had driven under the influence, a substantial decrease over 2008 (Table 4).
4.5% reported having damaged property or set off a false alarm (Table 4).
Moreover, 8.0% reported having had sex when they didn’t really want to, and 3.1% had been pressured or
forced to have sex with someone when they had been too drunk to prevent it (Table 4).
Lastly, and similar to findings from previous years, students who engaged in high-risk drinking were
significantly more likely to experience all of the consequences when compared to non-high-risk drinkers.
Frequent high-risk drinkers were at the greatest risk (analysis not shown).
Table 4. Percentages of Students Experiencing Legal & Sexual Consequences from Drinking
Direct Consequences: Legal
2008 (%)
Driven under the influence
7.4
Gotten in trouble at school
5.9
Damaged property or set off a false alarm
6.3
Gotten in trouble with the police
5.3
Direct Consequences: Sexual
Had sex when you didn’t really want to
9.3
Been pressured or forced to have sex with someone when you
3.2
were too drunk to prevent it
Pressured or forced someone to have sex with you after you had been drinking
2.6
2011 (%)
4.7
4.4
4.5
4.3
8.0
3.1
1.9
Protective and Risk Behaviors
Another section of the survey included questions regarding protective and risk behaviors when drinking alcohol. The
following findings represent only students who drink. The percentages are for those students who indicated they
“usually” or “always” engage in these behaviors. More responsible drinking is associated with a higher percentage and
with a higher average score.
• With the exceptions of students intentionally eating food before drinking (68.0% “usually” or “always”) and
keeping track of how many drinks they have had (56.1%), most students do not frequently practice protective
behaviors that will reduce their risks related to alcohol (Table 5).
• For example, typically students “rarely” or “sometimes” (based on the average scores) alternate drinking
alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic beverages, pace their drinking to no more than one drink per hour, think
about their BAC to reduce risks, or intentionally mix their drinks with less alcohol than “normal” (Table 5).
• In general, the percentages of students practicing protective behaviors have increased since these questions
were introduced in 2008, suggesting that educational efforts are having an impact.
Table 5. Protective Behaviors When Drinking (Drinkers Only)
Behavior
Intentionally eat food or a meal before drinking
Keep track of how many drinks you’ve had
Set a personal limit of how many drinks you’ll have during
a drinking occasion
Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or other nonalcoholic beverages
Pace your drinking to no more than one drink per hour
Think about your BAC in order to reduce risks associated
with alcohol consumption
Intentionally mix your drinks with less alcohol than
“normal”
% “Usually” or “Always”
2008
2011
61.7
68.0
48.4
56.1
Average*
2008
3.58
3.27
2011
3.73
3.44
29.0
34.4
2.71
2.84
15.8
21.9
2.33
2.54
17.4
21.8
2.32
2.45
14.2
18.6
2.02
2.20
11.9
15.8
2.27
2.44
* Scale: 1=never, 2=rarely, 3=sometimes, 4=usually, 5=always. The higher the average the more frequently students are engaging in drinking
behaviors that will reduce their risk.
7
In Table 6, data related to risk behaviors associated with alcohol consumption are provided. The percentages are for
those students who indicated they “rarely” or “never” engage in these behaviors. More responsible drinking is
associated with a higher percentage. The opposite is true for the average scores; the lower average is associated with
more responsible drinking behavior.
• Of students who drink, 68.5% reported that they “rarely” or “never” chug alcohol and 44.3% seldom choose a
drink containing a higher alcohol concentration; however, only 28.7% reported the same when asked about
playing drinking games.
• In addition, only 37.1% of students who drink are unlikely to “pre-game,” and only 31.5% are unlikely to do
shots.
• These percentages demonstrate a decline in some risk behaviors and an increase in others since 2008.
Table 6. Risk Behaviors When Drinking (Drinkers Only)
Behavior
Chug alcohol (e.g., keg stands, beer funnels)
Choose a drink containing a higher alcohol concentration
Do shots
“Pre-game” (start drinking before going out)
Play drinking games
% “Never” or “Rarely”
2008
2011
60.1
68.5
46.6
44.3
32.4
31.5
34.9
37.1
21.5
28.7
Average*
2008
2.14
2.48
2.93
3.02
3.20
2011
1.98
2.52
3.00
2.99
3.04
* Scale: 1=never, 2=rarely, 3=sometimes, 4=usually, 5=always. The lower the average, the more frequently students are engaging in drinking
behaviors that will reduce their risk.