An examination of the relationship between self-reported alcohol consumption and self-reported cognitive, affective, and environmental factors of private university students
Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, PhD Thesis, (1991)Zusammenfassung
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between five self-reported independent variables (GPA, knowledge about alcohol, self-esteem, family alcohol history, and participation in alcohol education programs) and the consumption of alcohol for selected college students. Additionally, the relationships between class standing (freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior) and consumption, and between gender and alcohol consumption were examined. In the cognitive area, this study determined whether a relationship existed between academic achievement (GPA) and the consumption of alcohol, and knowledge about alcohol and the consumption of alcohol. In the affective area, this study examined whether a relationship existed between an individual's self-esteem and the consumption of alcohol. In the environmental area, this study determined whether a relationship existed between the individual's family history of problems with alcohol and the consumption of alcohol, and participation in a university alcohol program and the consumption of alcohol. The research used self-reported data from undergraduate students at two universities, similar in size, mission, and educational philosophy. The institutions differed in that they are located in different geographical regions of the state of Washington, have different types of student bodies, and they support two different types of alcohol education programs with varying levels of budgetary support. The research data were collected by way of a questionnaire. The research questions regarding the relationship of the independent variables to consumption of alcohol were answered by calculating Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficients (Pearson's r). A regression analysis was run in order to determine which independent variable most accurately predicted the student's consumption of alcohol. One-way analysis of variance was done to determine differences in alcohol consumption as related to class standing and between males and females. The study showed that GPA and knowledge about alcohol, as shown on a test about alcohol and its effects, had a significant inverse relationship, at the.01 level, with consumption of alcohol. Family history of problems with alcohol, self-esteem, and participation in alcohol education programs did not prove to be statistically significant in relation to alcohol consumption. A significant difference was found between males and females regarding alcohol consumption. This research adds to the body of knowledge regarding alcohol consumption and the various factors which influence such consumption, as well as suggesting possible future directions for research in this challenging and important area of concern for university student personnel administrators.