The virtuous drinker: character virtues as correlates and moderators of college student drinking and consequences.
OBJECTIVE
The present study examined the relationship between alcohol use and positive psychology's character virtues1 in a college student sample. Each of the virtues of wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence were examined as protective factors and moderators of drinking consequences.


METHODS
This sample included 425 undergraduate students at a large Northwest University (69% female; 52% Caucasian, 34% Asian).


METHODS
Participants completed paper and pencil questionnaires during October and November 2006 in exchange for extra credit in psychology classes.


RESULTS
Higher temperance scores were associated with abstinence, lower risk drinking, and fewer consequences among heavy drinkers; both increased justice and transcendence were independently associated with abstinence only; and wisdom, courage, and humanity were not associated with any outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
The associations between virtues and college student drinking support a collaboration between addictive behaviors and positive psychology to address college student drinking and minimize consequences.
Logan
Diane E
DE
Department of Psychology, Addictive Behaviors Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98556, USA. logande@u.washington.edu
Kilmer
Jason R
JR
Marlatt
G Alan
GA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000533:Altruism; D036262:Empirical Research; D028663:Ethical Theory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012935:Social Justice; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013695:Temperance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D028722:Virtues; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult