The College and Noncollege Experience: A Review of the Factors That Influence Drinking Behavior in Young Adulthood

Abstract

To place college drinking within its larger developmental context, we reviewed studies that compare drinking behavior among college students with that of their age-matched nonstudent peers. Among the recurrent themes identifi ed across these studies, we particularly noted discrepancies in the conceptualization and operationalization of both college status and noncollege status. These discrepancies, and other methodological variations, were then examined because they infl uence conclusions about drinking outcomes. Method: Eighteen studies directly comparing college students with nonstudents were reviewed. Results: College students drank more than noncollege peers and, in general, drank more frequently than did noncollege peers, although these differences were likely the result of factors other than col-lege attendance itself. Younger people drank more than older peers in both groups. College students also tended to be more at risk for alcohol-related problems, including alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence, again likely the result of factors other than college attendance per se. Conclusions: This review highlights the lack of consensus in the conceptualization and operationalization of college and noncollege status across studies, as well as the importance of variables such as living situation, age, full-time and part-time status, and type of college, which may be more directly related to variations in alcohol consumption than is college status itself. Future investigations of college drinking should place this phenomenon within the larger context of developmental processes associated with this time of life.

The Effect of Residence, School Status, Work Status, and Social Influence on the Prevalence of Alcohol Use Among Emerging Adults

“…Although there is ample research on the prevalence and predictors of alcohol use among high school and college students, there is less research on the variability in prevalence among emerging adults according to location and activity (Carter et al, 2010). The NEXT Generation Health Study enabled examination of predictors of alcohol use prevalence longitudinally from 10th grade through the fi rst year after high school among participants who enrolled and those who did not enroll in postsecondary education.…”

“…A recent review noted the lack of consensus in the literature reviewed of operational defi nitions of college and noncollege status, living situation, and work status (Carter et al, 2010). Comparisons of those who do or do not attend traditional 4-year colleges may not fully refl ect the dynamic pattern of mobility and activity among emerging adults.…”

“…A review of studies that examined factors associated with prevalence among college and noncollege youth concluded that college students drank more frequently and were at greater risk for alcohol problems than those not attending college (Carter et al, 2010). However, the variability in defi nitions of drinker status across studies makes it diffi cult to make direct comparisons of college and noncollege emerging adults.…”

Binge drinking: Health impact, prevalence, correlates and interventions

“…Although college students outside the US have also high binge drinking rates (Karam, Kypri, & Salamoun, 2007;Wicki, Kuntsche, & Gmel, 2010), it is unclear whether these rates are significantly higher than those of their noncollege age-mates due to a lack of direct comparisons. However, the impact of college attendance on binge drinking is also likely to vary in function of demographic, personality (including sensation-seeking and impulsivity) and environmental characteristics (such as college location and size and alcohol outlet density, Carter, Brandon, & Goldman, 2010;Quinn & Fromme, 2011). For example, college attendance increases the likelihood of binge drinking among whites whereas the opposite is the case among blacks and Asians (Paschall, Bersamin, & Flewelling, 2005).…”

The Effect of Types of Postsecondary Education on Drinking

“…This finding is somewhat surprising given the different contextual environments of 2-year and 4-year institutions (i.e., residential housing) theorized to explain group differences (Carter et al, 2010). It may be that there are individual-level similarities between transfer and 4-year university students that outweigh these contextual differences.…”