NCJ Number
139700
Journal
International Journal of the Addictions Volume: 27 Issue: 8 Dated: (1992) Pages: 917-934
Date Published
1992
Length
18 pages
Annotation
A representative sample of 6,364 adults aged 18 and older living in New York State provided the data base for examining predictors of heavy drinking patterns and alcohol- related problems for college students and other young adults.
Abstract
Heavier drinking was highest among young adult males in the youngest age groups, 18-25 years (27 percent heavier drinkers) and 26-35 (28 percent heavier drinkers). Females in the youngest age category had the highest rate of heavy drinking (9 percent) among all females, but the differences across age groups were not as great for females as for males. Males and females in the 18-25 age group also had the highest average number of alcohol-related problems. The strongest predictor of heavier drinking and young adults was being male; the second strongest predictor was the age of starting to drink alcoholic beverages. Both beginning to drink at a young age and growing up with a heavy drinking father were strong predictors of current heavier drinking and alcohol-related problems. Thirty percent of the full- time students who live in dormitory settings were classified as heavier drinkers and also had an average of 10.5 alcohol- related problems in the previous year. 2 figures, 3 tables, and 36 references