Graduate Program

College Student Affairs

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2009

Thesis Director

Charles Eberly

Thesis Committee Member

Eric Davidson

Thesis Committee Member

Angela Yoder

Abstract

The primary focus of this study was to examine Eastern Illinois University student alcohol consumption and associated negative outcomes. Negative outcomes defined for the purposes of the present study were poor academic perfonnance, getting into a physical fight, driving under the influence, and sexual assault. Data collected by Eastern Illinois University's Health Education Resource Center using the CORE survey was analyzed for the study. A review ofliterature indicated that student alcohol consumption often resulted in negative outcomes. The literature suggested that Caucasians consumed the most alcohol among all groups by ethnicity/ race. The location of consumption played a major role in drinking behavior. Although most Eastern Illinois University underage students consumed large amounts of alcohol in residence hall rooms and at off campus parties, the largest an1ount of alcohol consumed at a single event occurred at fraternity parties.

The research findings indicated that students who consumed alcohol compared to those who did not had greater likelihood of missing class, performing poorly on a test, getting into a physical/fight, experiencing threats of physical violence, being taken advantage of sexually, experiencing forced sexual touching and unwanted sexual intercourse. In addition, males significantly engaged in binge drinking more than females and there was a significant difference in seniors and graduate/professional students in average number of alcoholic drinks per week compared to other students.

There was a statistically significant difference within ethnicity and never using alcohol (abstinence/non-drinker). In average number of drinks per week, there were significant differences between American Indian/Alaska Native and Black (nonHispanic), White (non-Hispanic) and Black (non-Hispanic), Black (non-Hispanic) and American Indian/Alaska Native, Black (non-Hispanic) and White (non-Hispanic). In addition, there were significant differences by drinker and non-drinker status at all eight locations for alcohol consumption listed in, the CORE survey (Item 20) except for when students were compared by ethnicity and location of alcohol consumption.

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