Correlates of alcohol-related regretted sex among college students

Psychol Addict Behav. 2012 Dec;26(4):782-90. doi: 10.1037/a0027840. Epub 2012 Mar 26.

Abstract

The prevalence of alcohol-related regretted sex in college students warrants a better understanding of the characteristics of students who report such experiences. Therefore, the present study examined correlates of regretted sexual experiences involving alcohol use among 2 specific high-risk college student samples: students mandated to alcohol intervention (n = 522) and volunteer 1st-year students transitioning to college (n = 481). Results indicated that alcohol-related regretted sex occurred at similar rates in mandated and volunteer students, with approximately 25% of the students reporting at least 1 occurrence in the past month. Women were more likely to report alcohol-related regretted sex compared with men. The belief that alcohol use would result in "liquid courage" was associated with alcohol-related regretted sex among college students, even after accounting for greater alcohol use and problem alcohol use behaviors. These findings have significant implications for intervention efforts and future research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Alcohol Drinking / psychology*
  • Alcoholic Intoxication / psychology*
  • Emotions*
  • Female
  • Guilt
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Sex Factors
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology*
  • Students / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Universities
  • Young Adult