Examining Alcohol Use, Perceptions and Attitudes Among African American College Students

Author

Alicia Lynette Battle, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleFollow

Date of Award

12-1-2015

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Health Education

First Advisor

Ogletree, Roberta

Abstract

College student use of alcohol is the number one health problem facing this population. For African American college students the problems associated with alcohol use can have far reaching implications associated with graduation rates, socioeconomic station within the community, as well as health status. There are a myriad of factors to consider when examining alcohol use among African American colleges students. These include living arrangement, classification, age, gender, cumulative grade point average, Greek-letter organization affiliation as well as whether or not the student participates in athletics. This research sought to examine alcohol use, perceived norms and attitudes held by African American college students. Results determined that African American college students who consume alcohol when compared to those who do not consume alcohol share similar overall attitudes and perceptions regarding use. The students in this sample held perceptions of alcohol use comparable to students in predominantly Caucasian national samples. Additionally, results showed that African American college student drinkers perceived that students affiliated with sororities and fraternities consumed more alcohol than non-Greek affiliated students. Furthermore, linear regression analyses indicated that participation in athletics, classification, gender and living arrangement were predictors for alcohol use.