title: Criterion variability in problem-drinking research on college students.
abstract: A persistent issue confronting research on problem drinking (PD) and heavy drinking (HD) among college-age adults is the lack of a consistent, valid definition and criteria for either of the two conditions. This article presents a review and analysis of the criteria used in a selected group of studies on college students' PD and HD from 1974 to 1993. All studies within the time period that employed a random sample of students were analyzed for variations in criteria used to define either PD or HD. Sample characteristics, the specific criteria used, and data on prevalence rates found with those criteria are described. Areas of uniformity and inconsistency were identified and effects of criterion variations were described for the 23 studies reviewed. Of particular note was the lack of differential criteria for gender.
authors.affiliation: Department of Counseling Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence 66045, USA.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Heck
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology