University of Kentucky UKnowledge Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion Kinesiology and Health Promotion 2012 ENERGY DRINK CONSUMPTION (WITH AND WITHOUT ALCOHOL) AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO RISKY BEHAVIOR, RISK AWARENESS, AND BEHAVIORAL INTENTION IN COLLEGE STUDENTS Julia K. Buchanan University of Kentucky, [email protected] Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Buchanan, Julia K., "ENERGY DRINK CONSUMPTION (WITH AND WITHOUT ALCOHOL) AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO RISKY BEHAVIOR, RISK AWARENESS, AND BEHAVIORAL INTENTION IN COLLEGE STUDENTS" (2012). Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion. 5. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/khp_etds/5 This Master's Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Kinesiology and Health Promotion at UKnowledge. 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Buchanan, Student Dr. Melinda Ickes, Major Professor Dr. Richard Riggs, Director of Graduate Studies ENERGY DRINK CONSUMPTION (WITH AND WITHOUT ALCOHOL) AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO RISKY BEHAVIOR, RISK AWARENESS, AND BEHAVIORAL INTENTION IN COLLEGE STUDENTS THESIS A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky By Julia Kristine Buchanan Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. Melinda Ickes, Professor 2012 Copyright © Julia Buchanan 2012 ABSTRACT OF THESIS ENERGY DRINK CONSUMPTION (WITH AND WITHOUT ALCOHOL) AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO RISKY BEHAVIOR, RISK AWARENESS, AND BEHAVIORAL INTENTION IN COLLEGE STUDENTS The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships between energy drink consumption (with and without alcohol) and other risky behaviors; students’ overall awareness level of the risks for consuming energy drinks; and overall behavioral intention to consume energy drinks among college students at the University of Kentucky. A total of 277 students enrolled during the Spring 2012 semester responded to the online survey, 46.5% (n=129) of which were considered energy drink users. Students classified as energy drink users participated in other risky behaviors more often than non- users (p=0.001). In addition, energy drink users exhibited a higher awareness level for the risks associated with energy drink consumption both with (p=0.000) and without (p=0.000) alcohol. Those who were more aware of the risks associated with energy drink consumption, both with (p=0.001) and without (p=0.001) alcohol, were found to have increased intention to consume energy drinks within the next month compared to those with lower awareness levels. There is a need for future research on this topic, as well as a need for expanded education and intervention programming for college students regarding the risks of energy drink consumption (with and without alcohol). KEYWORDS: Energy Drinks, Energy Drinks with Alcohol, Risky Behaviors in College Students, Risk Awareness, Behavioral Intention Julia Kristine Buchanan July 19, 2012 ENERGY DRINK CONSUMPTION (WITH AND WITHOUT ALCOHOL) AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO RISKY BEHAVIOR, RISK AWARENESS, AND BEHAVIORAL INTENTION IN COLLEGE STUDENTS By Julia Kristine Buchanan Melinda Ickes, Ph.D. Director of Thesis Richard Riggs, Ed.D. Director of Graduate Studies July 23, 2012 Date TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v List of Figures………………………………………………………....…...……………...vi Chapter One: Introduction ...................................................................................................1 Background..................................................................................................................... 1 Prevalence....................................................................................................................... 1 Physiological Effects ...................................................................................................... 2 Reasons for Use .............................................................................................................. 3 Risk-Taking in College Students .................................................................................... 4 Conceptual Approach...................................................................................................... 5 Statement of the Problem................................................................................................ 5 Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................... 7 Research Questions......................................................................................................... 7 Hypotheses...................................................................................................................... 8 Implications..................................................................................................................... 9 Delimitations and Limitations....................................................................................... 10 Definitions .....................................................................................................................11 Summary........................................................................................................................11 Chapter Two: Literature Review .......................................................................................13 Introduction................................................................................................................... 13 Prevalence..................................................................................................................... 14 Reasons for Use ............................................................................................................ 14 Physiological and Psychological Effects of Energy Drinks ......................................... 15 Physiological and Psychological Effects of Energy Drinks Mixed with Alcohol........ 18 Marketing...................................................................................................................... 19 In the News....................................................................................................................20 Link between Energy Drink Consumption and Risky Behaviors................................. 21 Conceptual Approach.................................................................................................... 23 Summary........................................................................................................................26 Chapter Three: Methodology.............................................................................................27 Research Design............................................................................................................ 27 Population and Sampling .............................................................................................. 27 Target Population.......................................................................................................... 27 Sampling ....................................................................................................................... 28 Description of Measures ............................................................................................... 29 Procedures......................................................................................................................31 Protection of Human Subjects ...................................................................................... 31 Data Collection ............................................................................................................. 31 Missing Data..................................................................................................................32