Analyzing Gender Differences in Alcohol Use Among College Students
Location
SU-003
Start Date
2-5-2025 10:10 AM
Department
Physical Education, Exercise Science, and Recreation
Abstract
Substance use disorders, including alcohol, prescription stimulants, cannabis, and opioids, are rapidly rising public health concerns, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where binge drinking and related behaviors increase the risks of addiction, violence, and mental health problems (Baingana et al., 2015; Welsh et al., 2019; Fruehwirth, Gorman, & Perreira, 2021). In 2022, 49 million Americans had a substance use disorder, while in 2024, adolescent substance use declined overall (NIDA, 2024). These disorders are generally influenced by factors such as environmental stress, personality traits, and depressive symptoms, with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) disproportionately affecting youth from lower-income backgrounds, further exacerbating health inequities (World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, n.d.; Shahid et al., 2023; Carvalho et al., 2019). In college settings, heavy drinking leads to negative outcomes like accidents, poor academic performance, obesity, and serious health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes (Busto Miramontes et al., 2021; Fruehwirth, Gorman, & Perreira, 2021; Kim et al., 2021; Castañeda et al., 2023). While binge drinking is more common among male students, both genders have seen declines, influenced by factors such as age, sex, and race; however, females are more likely to engage in weight-conscious drinking behaviors. (Krieger et al., 2018; Castañeda et al., 2023). The purpose of this study will focus on alcohol consumption patterns among college students, investigating the timing and frequency for alcohol use, as well as the occurrence of binge drinking. Methods and analysis: Data was collected through the 2024 Spring Student Health Behavior and Wellbeing Survey approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and administered electronically via Qualtrics. Participants from a Midwestern university completed a 47-question survey examining various health behaviors, including alcohol consumption, substance use, perceived health, executive functioning, sexual health, HPV awareness, and demographic characteristics. A t-test will be used to analyze and compare responses across different demographic groups. The findings will help guide the development of targeted intervention strategies for the campus community. The research project is still in progress with tentative results being reported at the 2025 Student Symposium. Conclusion of analysis will hopefully result in a national presentation in November 2025.
Faculty Sponsor
Kimberly Maljak
Analyzing Gender Differences in Alcohol Use Among College Students
SU-003
Substance use disorders, including alcohol, prescription stimulants, cannabis, and opioids, are rapidly rising public health concerns, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where binge drinking and related behaviors increase the risks of addiction, violence, and mental health problems (Baingana et al., 2015; Welsh et al., 2019; Fruehwirth, Gorman, & Perreira, 2021). In 2022, 49 million Americans had a substance use disorder, while in 2024, adolescent substance use declined overall (NIDA, 2024). These disorders are generally influenced by factors such as environmental stress, personality traits, and depressive symptoms, with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) disproportionately affecting youth from lower-income backgrounds, further exacerbating health inequities (World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, n.d.; Shahid et al., 2023; Carvalho et al., 2019). In college settings, heavy drinking leads to negative outcomes like accidents, poor academic performance, obesity, and serious health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes (Busto Miramontes et al., 2021; Fruehwirth, Gorman, & Perreira, 2021; Kim et al., 2021; Castañeda et al., 2023). While binge drinking is more common among male students, both genders have seen declines, influenced by factors such as age, sex, and race; however, females are more likely to engage in weight-conscious drinking behaviors. (Krieger et al., 2018; Castañeda et al., 2023). The purpose of this study will focus on alcohol consumption patterns among college students, investigating the timing and frequency for alcohol use, as well as the occurrence of binge drinking. Methods and analysis: Data was collected through the 2024 Spring Student Health Behavior and Wellbeing Survey approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and administered electronically via Qualtrics. Participants from a Midwestern university completed a 47-question survey examining various health behaviors, including alcohol consumption, substance use, perceived health, executive functioning, sexual health, HPV awareness, and demographic characteristics. A t-test will be used to analyze and compare responses across different demographic groups. The findings will help guide the development of targeted intervention strategies for the campus community. The research project is still in progress with tentative results being reported at the 2025 Student Symposium. Conclusion of analysis will hopefully result in a national presentation in November 2025.