Differential utility of three indexes of risky drinking for predicting alcohol problems in college students

Psychol Addict Behav. 2001 Dec;15(4):321-4. doi: 10.1037//0893-164x.15.4.321.

Abstract

This study evaluated the relationship between alcohol-related problems and 3 indexes of risky drinking in college student drinkers: number of drinks consumed per week, frequency of binge drinking, and estimated blood alcohol levels (BALs). Use of 2 independent samples (N1 = 204, N2 = 181) allowed a cross-validation of obtained associations. Results indicated that neither binge drinking frequency nor BAL were more highly related to alcohol-related problems than was weekly drinking. Furthermore, BAL did not provide unique explanatory power in accounting for alcohol-related problems; mixed results were obtained regarding the relationship of binge drinking estimates with problems.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alcohol Drinking / adverse effects*
  • Alcohol Drinking / blood
  • Alcohol-Related Disorders / diagnosis
  • Alcoholic Intoxication / blood
  • Alcoholic Intoxication / diagnosis*
  • Central Nervous System Depressants / blood*
  • Ethanol / blood*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Reference Values
  • Students
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / standards*

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Depressants
  • Ethanol