Alcohol-related aggression and drinking at off-campus parties and bars: a national study of current drinkers in college.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines relationships between alcohol-related aggression and drinking at off-campus parties and bars. Other background variables include gender, year in school, residence and heavy drinking in college.


METHODS
The study participants were respondents in the 1997 and 1999 Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study, national surveys of students attending 119 4-year U.S. colleges. Based on responses from 8,426 students, 18-24 years of age, who were never married and who reported attendance at off-campus parties and bars in the past month, an exploratory factor analysis of the alcohol problem items was specified in a confirmatory factor analysis framework based on a two-factor solution (disruptive behavior and victims of altercations). In addition, the two factors were related to study variables.


RESULTS
Among students attending both off-campus parties and bars, level of drinking was related to higher levels of Factor 1 (disruptive behaviors) at off-campus parties and bars. Level of drinking was related to higher levels of Factor 2 (victims of altercations) at off-campus bars but not off-campus parties. Factor 1 was higher among men, freshmen and residents in coed dorms and lower among students living off-campus with parents. Factor 2 was higher among women, freshmen compared with seniors and residents of Greek houses and lower among students living off-campus residence with parents.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings from this study highlight environmental factors in collegiate drinking practices and support targeted and diverse strategies for prevention activities.
Harford
Thomas C
TC
Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Wechsler
Henry
H
Muthén
Bengt O
BO
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D012932:Social Facilitation; D012940:Social Problems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology