Alcohol Consumption in Rowan University S Freshmen Class of 2019

Alcohol Consumption in Rowan University’s Freshmen Class of 2019

Danielle DiLonardo

201540: Consumer Health Decisions

Dr. Bullard

October 14, 2015

Rowan University

RUNNING HEADER: ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION IN FRESHMEN Introduction

Today’s society is largely dependent on alcohol. When alcohol first comes to mind, it is usually associated with relaxation, forgetting stressors, and a sense of euphoria. However, what does not come first to mind, are all of the negative consequences alcohol leaves behind. A first thought is not about a DUI, a hospitalization, or an alcoholic. The first thought is not of the lives it can destroy so easily just from one night or the fact that it is so prevalent in our society, yet people overlook the severity of it.

These dangerous scenarios are becoming increasingly rampant on college campuses. Our culture has widely accepted that alcohol consumption is acceptable especially in social environments, thus why these campuses are plagued with alcohol consumption and the negative consequences that arise due to this consumption. College students, especially freshmen are at high risk for finding themselves involved in alcohol related issues due to their new environment and sense of independence. Freshmen can find themselves struggling with their mental, physical, academic, and social health as a result of excessive alcohol use or dependency.

Research Questions

The research that was conducted has provided data regarding how alcohol effects both Rowan

University’s freshmen academically. The research has also provided data regarding how alcohol has affected overall health in areas such as their mental, physical, and social health for both

Rowan University’s female and male population. As well as the frequency of alcohol consumption and the types of alcohol that are associated with the consumption.

Significance of the Problem

Alcohol use is a significant problem on college campuses in America today. It is a substantial problem because it can lead to an alcohol dependence for these students later in life due to the premature interaction. This issue can have detrimental effects on the student’s academic and overall health and wellbeing. This is due to the fact that many students experiment with alcohol during these years and usually do not know their body’s tolerance or reaction it may have with other medications being used. These issues will not only affect their college years, but the years after as they try to adjust to changes later on in their life.

Review of Literature

The Harvard School of Public Health College recently conducted a survey regarding alcohol consumption in a college setting. It focused on control policies, enforcement of control and how the role of a college alcohol environment is correlated to binge drinking. This further elaborates the idea that many times, the environment can have an effect on whether or not someone drinks.

The determinants of positive and negative consequences of alcohol consumption were useful in this research paper because it focused also on the psychological characteristic for both males and females. This was useful because it demonstrated that there are other factors that can attribute to whether or not someone drinks and whether or not their gender does have an effect on this or not.

This resource connected both the results found from the research and factual evidence for the results that were found.

The peer effects and alcohol use among college students was an asset for this research paper. This article was written about how the social environment also attributes to drinking on campus.

It looks into specific ideas such as who someone is friends with or even who the person’s roommate is if they live on campus. This article is useful to the survey results because the survey also takes into consideration where someone drinks as well as who which will contribute to either the amount of or if someone consumes alcohol in general.

The journal entry written on alcohol consumption and academic retention in first-year college students was also a useful component to this research. This journal contains information regarding statistics of retention rates and drinking habits. This is useful because it helped the research in expanding it in the sense that there were more statistics than just Rowan University’s college freshmen. It also divides this information by gender which is also essential for this research paper because it looked into the gender differences based on alcohol consumption and the academic success of these students that participate in drinking.

The journal written on the mental and social health impacts of using alcohol also contributed to the research that was conducted. This journal supported the evidence that was found in the research and it tied together the role that alcohol can have in someone’s mental health. This was useful in the paper to explain the prevalence of this issue that is often overlooked or underestimated by the public.

The journal written on moderators of the relationship between physical activity and alcohol consumption was an asset to this research because it provided background information on the effects that alcohol has on one’s physical wellness. This is important because it helped tie the survey together with the results and provide more information as to why these college students are feeling the way that they are and the impact that it is having on their physical health.

Methods

The method that the research was conducted through was with the use of an online survey that was created through the Survey Monkey website. This survey was posted in the Rowan

University’s freshmen class of 2019 for all of the members in this group to respond to and fill out the survey. These members include both the female and male gender. The members that were surveyed had to enclose that they had consumed alcohol at least once in the past month in order for this research to be valid. The survey was posted in the group with a link to the actual survey on Survey Monkey. This website will then allow the researchers to collect all of the data in an effort to analysis the results that came from the survey. All surveyors were to remain anonymous. For certain questions, surveyors were allowed to respond with more than one answer. This survey was open for four days. The link was posted on November 15 th , 2015 and was closed on November 18 th , 2015.

Results of Survey on Alcohol Consumption

Gender

Table 1: Gender of Surveyors

Female 60% or 30 respondents

Male 40% or 20 respondents

This survey was posted on Facebook in the group for Rowan University’s freshmen class of 2019. There were fifty freshmen attending Rowan University who responded to this survey.

Thirty of the respondents were female, accounting for 60% of the respondents for the survey.

Twenty of the respondents were male, accounting for 40% of the respondents for the survey.

RUNNING HEADER: ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION IN FRESHMEN

Table 2: GPA Estimation

4.0 10% or 5 respondents

2.0 2% or 1 respondent

1.5 or below 6% or 3 respondents

The survey included a question regarding what their estimated GPA was. Five respondents or

10% of the freshmen surveyed said that their estimated GPA was a 4.0. Eighteen respondents or 36% of the freshmen answered that their estimated GPA was 3.5. Twenty respondents or 40% of the surveyors answered that their GPA was estimated at a 3.0. Three respondents or 6% of the freshmen surveyed answered that their GPA was a 2.5. One respondent, which was equal to 2% of the freshmen surveyed responded that his/her GPA was a 2.0. Three respondents, which accounted for 6% of the freshmen surveyed responded that their GPA was a 1.5 or lower.

Frequency of Alcohol Consumption

Table 5: Frequency of Alcohol Consumption

Once 12.24% or 6 respondents

Two-Four times 24.49% or 12 respondents

Every weekend 57.14% or 28 respondents

Everyday 6.12% or 3 respondents

This survey incorporated a question concerning the frequency of the respondent’s alcohol consumption in the past month. Six respondents or 12.24% selected that they only drank once. Twelve of the respondents or 24.49% responded that they had drank two-four times. Twenty- eight, which accounted for 57.14% of the respondents selected that they drank every weekend.

Three freshmen selected they drank every day and they accounted for 6.12% of the freshmen surveyed. One person skipped the question entirely.

Usual Drinking Company

Table 4: Drinking Company

Roommate(s) 62% or 31 respondents

Friends 88% or 44 respondents

Significant Other 16% or 8 respondents

Teammates 18% or 9 respondents

Siblings 12% or 6 respondents

Alone 18% or 9 respondents

This survey included a question regarding who they usually would consume alcohol with if they were to drink. Table 1 includes a visual representation of this question. Thirty-one freshmen responded that they drank with their roommates, which accounted for 62% of the freshmen surveyed. Forty-four surveyors selected that they drank with their friends, which was 88% of the surveyors. Eight individuals selected that they usually would drink with their significant other and this attributed to 16% of the people surveyed. Nine respondents selected that they would usually drink with their teammates, this accounted for 18% of the people that took the survey.

Six people selected that they drank with their siblings, which was 12% of respondents. Nine people selected that they drank alone as well which accounted for 18% of the surveyors.

Preference

Table 5: Alcohol Preference

Hard Liquor 76% or 38 respondents

Beer 48% or 24 respondents

Wine 26% or 13 respondents

Other 10% or 5 respondents The survey included a question that asked the surveyors which type of alcohol they preferred when they were to consume alcohol. Thirty-eight of the respondents, which accounted for 76% of the surveyors, responded that they preferred hard liquor. Twenty-four of the respondents, which made up 48% of the responders, selected beer as their choice of alcohol. Thirteen of the surveyors, or 26% of the respondents chose wine as their preferred alcohol. Five freshmen or

10% of the surveyors chose other when answering this question.

Alcohol’s Negative Effects

Table 6: Alcohol’s Negative Effects

Relationships with others 8% or 4 respondents

Physical health 30% or 15 respondents

Mental health 16% or 8 respondents

Grades 14% or 4 respondents

None 62% or 31 respondents This survey contained a question regarding how alcohol has negatively affected aspects in someone’s life. Four people, which accounted for 8% of the surveyors responded that it effected their relationships with others negatively. Fifteen people, which was 30% of the surveyors, selected that alcohol negatively affected their physical health. Eight surveyors, or 16% of the people surveyed that alcohol negatively affected their mental health. Seven surveyors, or 14% of those surveyed selected that alcohol negatively affected their grades. Thirty-one respondents which accounted for 62% of the surveyors said that alcohol did not affect anything.

Negative Consequences with Relationships

Table 7: Consequences with Relationships

Strain with parents 10.42% or 5 respondents

Conflict with roommates/significant other/friends 12.50% or 6 respondents

Conflict with authority 8.33% or 3 respondents

None 81.25% or 39 respondents This survey included a question regarding how alcohol has negatively affected relationships with others. Five respondents, or 10.42% reported that alcohol caused strain with parents. Six surveyors which amounted for 12.50% of respondents reported that they had conflicts with roommates/significant other/friends. Four respondents, or 8.33% of the surveyors selected that alcohol had led them to have conflicts with authority. Thirty-nine respondents, or 81.25% of the reported alcohol had no affect with relationships. Two surveyors skipped this question.

Negative Consequences with Physical Health

Table 8: Consequences with Physical Health

Weight gain 30.61% or 15 respondents

Fatigue 30.61% or 15 respondents

Intestinal issues 12.24% or 6 respondents

Injuries results from drinking 14.29% or 7 respondents

None 46.94% or 23 respondents This survey incorporated a question pertaining to the negative effects of alcohol regarding physical health. Fifteen of surveyors, or 30.61% of surveyors reported that they experienced weight gain from alcohol consumption. Fifteen freshmen surveyed, or 30.61% of respondents reported that they experienced fatigue. Six freshmen surveyed, or 12.24% reported that they had injuries resulting from drinking. Twenty-three respondents, or 46.94% reported that they did not have any negative effects on the subject’s physical health. One respondent skipped the question.

Negative Effects Regarding Mental Health

Table 9: Negative Effects Pertaining to Mental Health

Depression 12.50% or 6 respondents

Anxiety 18.75% or 9 respondents

Change in attitude 10.42% or 5 respondents

Impulse 8.33% or 4 respondents

Other 16.67% or 8 respondents

None 64.58% or 31 respondents This survey incorporated a question regarding the negative effects that alcohol has had on the subject’s mental health. Six respondents or 12.50% reported that they had experienced depression due to alcohol consumption. Nine respondents or 18.75% reported that they had experienced anxiety as a result of alcohol consumption. Four surveyors or 8.33% of those surveyed reported that they experienced impulse control issues. Five surveyed or 10.42% selected that that they experienced a change in attitude. Eight respondents or 16.67% of those surveyed reported that they had other experiences with mental health than the selection that was provided. Thirty-one surveyors or 64.58% of those surveyed reported that they did not experience any mental health issues when consuming alcohol. Two respondents skipped this question.

Academics

Table 10: Effect on Academic Performance

Skipping class 14% or 7 respondents Missing Assignments 16% or 8 respondents

Not studying 20% or 10 respondents

Other 6% or 3 respondents

None 68% or 34 respondents

This survey also incorporated a question regarding the negative effects that alcohol has in relation to academic performance. Seven surveyors or 14%, selected that they had skipped class due to alcohol consumption. Eight surveyors or 16%, reported that they had missed assignments.

Ten respondents or 20% of those surveyed reported that they did not study due to alcohol consumption. Three surveyors or 6% selected that alcohol had affected their academic performance in other ways. Thirty-four of surveyors or 68% of respondents reported that alcohol did not have any effect on their academic performance.

Discussion

The research that was conducted was able to shed light on the prevalence of alcohol consumption in Rowan University’s freshman class of 2019, for both male and female populations. The results of this research correlated to the literature review information and were able to prove the research question right. The research studied both female and male freshmen at Rowan

University that partook in alcohol consumption. Sixty percent of the studied subjects were females and forty percent of the studied subjects were males. Crystal L. Park and Christoffer

Grant both include in their journal, “Determinants of Positive and Negative Consequences”, that gender did not really have any specific differences when it comes to alcohol consumption. This information correlated with the survey because it did not show any significant differences between the behaviors with alcohol consumption in genders. The average estimated GPA for these subjects was about a 3.5-3.0, which accounted for about 76% of the respondents. These results did not correlate to the findings in Michael Kremer and Dan Levy’s journal of “Peer

Effects and Alcohol Use among College Students”, came to the conclusion that GPA’s were lower in those assigned with roommates who reported to drink. This did not correlate with the research because the research was only conducted with subjects that had reported that they drank alcohol.

The results of this research stated that the average amount of times that these freshmen drank was every weekend. About 57.14% of the respondents reported that they had drank about every weekend. This was an alarming statistic considering that most of these freshmen participated in alcohol consumption regardless of the fact that they are underage and it is illegal for them to do so. This research also demonstrated these respondents reported that when they usually drank, it was with their friends and roommates, which accounted for about 88% (friends) and 62%

(roommates). This correlated to the information that the Harvard study published because it shows that their social environment influenced their drinking habits. This research provided information regarding alcohol preference in these subjects. Seventy-six percent of these subjects reported that their alcohol preference was hard liquor. This is an alarming statistic because hard liquor usually has a higher percentage of alcohol in it which means that these subjects probably needed less alcohol to be drunk, so that they could be drunk in a lesser amount of time, which is dangerous. This research also provided results that most of the subjects reported that alcohol had affected their physical health the most out of any aspect in their life at about 30% of the respondents. This piece of information is important because the decline of physical health at a young age is detrimental to their health later on in life. The survey provided information regarding that 30% of respondents reported that 30% of these respondents reported weight gain while another 30% reported that they experienced fatigue. This is important for future knowledge because it shows that alcohol consumption could correlate with obesity as well due to this weight gain.

The results from the survey also indicated that freshmen that reported a change in their mental health due to alcohol consumption. The two highest reported issues that were associated with mental health and drinking were anxiety at 18.75% and depression at 12.50%. This is a startling statistic because it shows that mental illnesses can be tied to alcohol consumption.

The respondents that selected that alcohol had effected their relationships with others, selected that about 12.50% of respondents reported having conflicts with their roommates/friends/significant other. This is significant because it shows that alcohol can negatively affect someone’s social health which could have led to the mental illnesses that these respondents had reported in the other follow up question.

The research conducted in this survey also confirmed that grades had suffered due to alcohol consumption. Twenty percent of these respondents reported that they did not study, sixteen percent of these respondents reported that they missed assignments, and fourteen percent of these respondents reported that they skipped class. This is significant because all of these circumstances can result in a drop in GPA or interest in college as a whole. These three circumstances can also led to issues not only in the college atmosphere but as well as the work environment later on in their life due to the lack of motivation that they are experiencing due to the alcohol consumption.

Limitations

A limitation that was presented in this research, was the concept that the research was only conducted with people who wanted to take the survey that was placed in the Rowan University freshmen class of 2019 group on Facebook. There would have been more results if the survey had been open to all years of students as it would show a better understanding of the alcohol consumption at Rowan University. Another limitation that could have effected these results is if this survey was given to these same subjects after the spring semester to give more accurate results on all of the research questions provided. A limitation that could have effected these results were also that it only looked at the results for a freshmen that reported to drink. If this survey was open to people who did not drink as well, it would show the differences that these two groups had.

References

Buscemi, J. (2011). Moderators of the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Alcohol

Consumption in College Students. 65(6). doi:10.1080/07448481.2010.518326

LaBrie, J. (2009). Mental and Social Health Impacts the Use of Protective Behavioral Strategies in Reducing Risky Drinking and Alcohol Consequences. Retrieved October 26, 2015, from http://search.proquest.com/docview/195185200?pq-origsite=summon

Michael Kremer and Dan Levy. The Journal of Economic Perspectives. Vol. 22, No. 3 (Summer,

2008), pp. 189-206

Park, C., & Grant, C. (2004). Determinants of positive and negative consequences of alcohol consumption in college students: Alcohol use, gender, and psychological characteristics.

Addictive Behaviors, 755-765.

Wechsler, H. (2015). Erratum for Maisto, Clifford, and Stout (2007) article. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 622-622. http://dx.doi.org/10.15288/jsad.2008.69.481