title: College student affect and heavy drinking: Variable associations across days, semesters, and people.
abstract: This study tested associations between positive and negative affect and heavy drinking in 734 college students who completed daily diaries in 14-day bursts once per semester over 7 semesters (≤98 days per person). Three-level multilevel models tested whether affect and heavy drinking were linked across days, semesters, and persons. Higher daily, between-semester, and between-person positive affect were each associated with greater odds of heavy drinking on weekdays and on weekend days. A significant interaction with semester in college showed that the association between daily positive affect and heavy drinking on weekend days became stronger over time. That is, heavy drinking on a weekend day with higher positive affect was more likely in later years of college (OR = 2.93, Fall of 4th year), compared to earlier in college (OR = 1.80, Fall of 1st year). A similar interaction was found for between-semester positive affect and heavy drinking on weekdays. Higher daily negative affect was associated with a greater odds of heavy drinking on weekdays only for students who first began drinking in 7th grade or earlier (OR = 2.36). Results of this study highlight the importance of varied time spans in studying the etiology, consequences, and prevention of heavy drinking. Harm-reduction strategies that target positive affect-related drinking by encouraging protective behaviors during celebratory events may become increasingly important as students transition to later years of college. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology.
authors.forename: Andrea L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.affiliation: Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan.
authors.forename: Megan E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Patrick
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Maggs
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000067292:Alcohol Drinking in College / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D065840:Protective Factors; D012307:Risk Factors; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult