Screening for problem drinking among college freshmen.
OBJECTIVE
This study identified predictors of older adolescents at risk for problem drinking.


METHODS
College freshmen (n = 492) completed a questionnaire that addressed drinking patterns, risk factors for problem drinking, the CAGE questions, the Perceived-Benefit-of-Drinking Scale (PBDS), and the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test (CAST). They also responded to questions regarding alcohol-related problems including blackouts; alcohol-related injury, illness, violence, or legal problems; driving under the influence; and missing class. 50% of students were male with a mean age of 17.9 years (SD = 0.5).


RESULTS
Higher scores on the CAGE and PBDS, use of tobacco, best friend's drinking pattern, and younger age at first drinking were associated with higher scores on a quantity/frequency drinking index and with reports of significantly more alcohol-related problems. Regression models using these variables explained 40% to 51% of the variance in drinking habits and alcohol-related problems.


CONCLUSIONS
A composite screening measure had significantly better sensitivity and specificity than either the CAGE or PBDS alone in identifying older adolescents at high risk for problem drinking.
Werner
M J
MJ
Division of Adolescent Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232.
Walker
L S
LS
Greene
J W
JW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*