Ian M. Newman, PhD¹, Qian Ling, MD, PhD², and Jianping Xue, MD, MEd¹. (1) Department of Educational Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, P. O. Box 880345, Lincoln, NE 68588-0345, 402-472-3844, inewman1@unl.edu, (2) Center for Training and Evaluation, China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Health Education, Building 12, District 1 Andingmenwai Anhuaxili, Beijing, 100011, China

Using manual and electronic techniques (CNKI) a search of Chinese professional literature of the last five years revealed 27 articles describing middle school/high school alcohol use and 13 articles describing alcohol use by college students. This paper describes and critiques the literature on college student alcohol use. Analysis of the college student literature indicated six different definitions of alcohol use: two based on quantity and frequency, three on frequency alone and one with no details. Differing definitions made comparisons between studies difficult. Other variables reported included gender, type of alcohol, ethnicity, rural urban residents, year in school, academic program, academic grade, and reason for drinking. Only the reporting of gender was common across all studies. Despite the different definitions there were clear differences among groups of students. Males were more likely to drink than females. Beer was the alcohol of choice for both genders. Females were more likely to drink wine than males. Drinkers were more likely to be urban residents, studying the arts compared to the sciences and of Han nationality. Festivals and socializing were given as the principal reasons for drinking. A set of use and demographic questions are suggested for future studies to allow for comparison of studies among Chinese and of studies from other countries.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session participants will be able to (
• describe the characteristics of alcohol drinking among Chinese college students, (
• recognize the importance of standard definitions of an alcohol drinker and (
• critique a suggested set of questions to define a drinker and compare drinkers with a common set of demographic questions.

Keywords: Alcohol, College Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.