Berkowitz, Alan D.,
and H. Wesley
Research examining collegiate problem drinking from 1975-1985 is
reviewed. Eight topics are distinguished
pertaining to the definition and correlates of problem drinking: consumption
patterns; self-identification as a problem drinker; motivations; negative
consequences; personality characteristics; family, peers, and environment; long-term
consequences of problem alcohol use; and male-female differences in problem
drinking. Reported prevalences
of problem drinking range from a low of 6% to a high of 72%, with most studies
suggesting that approximately 20-25% of students have drinking problems. The variability may be explained in large
part by divergent conceptual and operational definitions of problem drinkers
across studies. Problem drinkers are
characterized relative to nonproblem drinkers as
impulsive, prone to deviant behavior, less oriented towards academic success,
more independence-seeking, and more likely to drink for escapist (rather than
sociability) reasons. The influential
role of college peers in the development of alcohol abuse patterns is
significant and increases, relative to family influences, with age. Collegiate problem drinking is associated
with difficulties with friends and teachers and in meeting responsibilities,
although it has not been established as a cause of alcoholism or later-life
drinking problems. While the incidence
of problem drinking is higher among men, overall motivational, personality, and
environmental influences appear similar for problem drinkers of both
sexes. Differences between male and
female problem drinkers tend to reflect gender-related patterns of drinking
found in society at large. Implications
of the literature for the design and implementation of college alcohol
education programs are discussed.