Drinking Habits of Rowan University Students

Athletes vs. Non-athletes

Raise awareness of drinking problems on campus

Does alcohol affect: GPA, or athletic performance

Who is affected

Raise awareness of counseling

Why study this topic?

Between ages of 18-24, 1,700 students have alcohol related deaths

599,000 students 18-24 are unintentionally injured under the influence of alcohol

About 25% of college students report academic consequences

31% of college students met criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse

What we knew

http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/statssummaries/snapshot.aspx

100 Rowan University students

Survey consisting of 13 questions

Collected data over a 2 week span

The Research:Methodology

59%41%

Males vs. Females

MalesFemales

The Research:Results

26%

26%33%

15%Year

Freshman

Sophomore

Junior

Senior

44%56%

On Campus vs. Off Campus

On CampusOff Campus

The Research:Results

58%42%

Awareness of Counsel-ing

AwareNot Aware

Have64%

Have Not27%

Do not drink9%

Show symptomsof irresponsible drinking

HaveHave NotDo not drink

The Research:Results

Youger45%

Older1%

Same54%

Drinking Age

YougerOlderSame

The Research:Results

THE BIG QUESTION

Drink100%

Athletes

DrinkDon't drink

Affects94%

Does not affect

6%

Athletic Performance

AffectsDoes not affect

The Big Question cont…

Drink88%

Don't Drink12%

Non-athlete

DrinkDon't Drink

The Big Question cont…

2.0-2.5

2.5-3.0

3.0-3.5

3.5-4.0

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

0

6

16

12

1

11

30

24

Non-athleteAthletes

# of students

GPA

The Big Question cont…

85%

15%

21 year olds

DrinkDon't drink

A Side Note

97%

3%

Underage

DrinkDon't drink

Alcohol Use Among College Athletes vs. Non-Athletes

College Students About 70% drink

About 40% binge drink

Athletes binge drink more than non-athletes

Reasons Why Celebration

Accessibility

Social Norms and alcohol use

Spend a lot of time in “peer-intensive” environments

New players want to conform to group

Video Lowering the drinking age

◦ http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4819332n&tag=related;photovideo

Drinking on Campus◦ http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=481933

6n&tag=related;photovideo

Factors that Influence Drinking The quality of peer relationships.

◦ Athletes have very strong bonds with one another.◦ Consider themselves family.

“Peer influence has emerged as one of the most powerful predictors of initiation and maintenance of drinking in the college setting.” – Brian Borsari

Factors that Influence Drinking

• Transition to college life.— Making friends is vital.—Role models are formed.

• Alcohol use peaks.• College years are a window of vulnerability.

Alcohol use from a Social Learning Theory Perspective Three social learning theory constructs:

◦ Social Reinforcement College drinking is completely accepted and will go

unpunished.◦ Modeling

Model could be made from upperclassman who drinks or a team captain.

◦ Cognitive Processes Disruption of cognitive processes in different social

environments Stress reduction Urges

Hangovers Depression Weight gain High Blood Pressure Depressed Immune System Alcohol Poisoning Altered Brain and Nerve

Functions Abnormalities in Blood-Clotting Cancer Death

Many different side effects from alcohol abuse

Impair Judgment Homicides Suicides Fatal Auto Accidents Fights Date Rape Other Gender Related Crimes

Quality of Sleep Daytime Attention Insomnia Disturbed Sleep Fragmented Sleep

Indirect Side Effects

Pancreatitis Skin abnormalities Fatty Liver Fibrosis Cirrhosis Liver Disease Gout Heartburn Ulcer Development Heart or Respiratory Failure

Other Medical Issues

Loss of Appetite Vitamin deficiencies Dehydration Electrolyte Imbalances Cramps, Muscle Pulls,

and Muscle Strains

Complications for Athletes

Males vs. Females

Facts Men and women of the same height and weight

do not experience the same effects of drinking the same amount of alcohol.

The average size male can drink double to the average size woman.

Females Tend to have more body fat Fat cannot absorb alcohol Have less gastric or stomach enzymes that

breaks down alcohol. Absorb up to 30% more alcohol into their

bloodstream than men. Shorter and lighter than men Hormone changes and menstrual cycle

can also affect alcohol metabolism.

Comparing Rowan Students

53%

6%

39%

2%Males vs. Females

Males drinkMales don't drinkFemales drinkFemales don't drink

Loss of time from school or work due to drinking

Depression or unhappiness due to drinking

Drinking in order to cope with personal problems

Drinking to overcome shyness Loss of interest in family and

friends Etc…

Counseling:The Signs of Alcohol Abuse

Counseling:Are Rowan students aware?

Aware58%

Not Aware42%

Aware of Counseling on Campus

Aware Not Aware

Rowan University◦ Savitz Hall — Top Floor201 Mullica Hill Rd.

Glassboro, NJ 08028Phone: 856-256-4222 Outside resources available

◦ AA South Jersey Intergroup: (856)486-4446

http://www.aa.org

Counseling:Where to find help

What we would have done different

Questions/Comments?

Discussion