281972
Alcohol use predicts increased risk of victimization among college students
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
: 11:10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Sara Wakai, PhD,
Center for Public Health and Health Policy, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
Elizabeth A. Schilling, PhD,
Institute for Public Health Research, Center for Public Health and Health Policy, University of Connecticut Health Center, East Hartford, CT
Robert H. Aseltine, PhD,
Behavioral Sciences and Community Health, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
Alcohol use among college students is linked to numerous negative consequences. Of particular concern are those consequences related to sexual abuse and physical violence. The presentation reports on a study to examine alcohol use and increased risk of victimization among college students. The findings utilize the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey-Long Form data based on 237,313 respondents collected from 2006 to 2009. The survey is designed to assess students' attitudes, perceptions and consequences of alcohol and other drug use on college campuses. The survey consists of 39 questions and takes about 20 minutes to complete. Logistic regression models revealed that the frequency of alcohol use in the past year was associated with the following incidents of violence or threats of violence: ethnic/racial harassment; physical violence; theft; and forced or unwanted sexual touching, fondling or intercourse. Women were more likely to experience sexual assault, but the association of alcohol with sexual assault did not differ by gender. Men were more likely to experience ethnic/racial harassment, threatened physical violence and theft involving force; in addition, the association of alcohol with these incidents was stronger for men than for women. Findings are intended to provide implications for intervention efforts and future research. The project is funded in part by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), with the support of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) and the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) (Grant number: Q184Z100001).
Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Identify predictors of victimization related to alcohol use among college students
Keyword(s): Alcohol Use, College Students
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Dr. Wakai has designed and conducted several evaluations on public health programs. She is currently conducting an evaluation to implement environmentally preferable products among custodial workers at state agencies. She is the evaluator for two DMHAS funded state initiatives: Connecticut Healthy Campus Initiative (to reduce underage and binge drinking on college campuses across Connecticut) and the Connecticut Campus Suicide Prevention Initiative.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
