Differences in Alcohol Use among Ohio State Students. Center for the Study of Student Life

Transcription

1 Differences in Alcohol Use among Ohio State Students Center for the Study of Student Life March 2015

2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS International students are less likely to use alcohol than domestic students. They are also more likely to report that their academic performance is negatively affected by alcohol use. 28.7% of international students report that they never use alcohol, compared with only 15.8% of domestic students. 37.3% of domestic students have had five or more drinks of alcohol in one sitting at least once within the last two weeks, compared to only 29. of international students. International students are more likely (7.4%) to report that their academic performance is negatively affected by alcohol use, compared to 4.2% of domestic students. FRATERNITY/SORORITY MEMBERS Fraternity/sorority members are more likely to engage in risky drinking behaviors than non-fraternity/sorority members. 57. of members of a fraternity/sorority reported that they have had five or more drinks of alcohol in one sitting at least once in the last two weeks, compared with only 34. of nonfraternity/sorority members. 7.5% of fraternity/sorority members report that their academics have been negatively affected by alcohol use, compared to only 4.1% of non-fraternity/sorority members. CLASS RANK Compared to underclass (first- and second-year) students and graduate students, upperclass (third-year undergraduate or more) students are the most likely to engage in binge drinking. Upperclass students are also more likely to report that their academics are negatively affected by alcohol use. Graduate students are the least likely to binge drink and the least likely to report that their academics are negatively affected by alcohol use. 46.1% of upperclass students have had five or more drinks of alcohol in one sitting at least once in the last two weeks, compared to 36.6% of underclass students and 25.8% of graduate students. 6.6% of upperclass students reported that their academics were negatively affected by alcohol use within the last 12 months, compared to 5.1% of underclass students and 1.5% of graduate students. Note: All reported differences in the executive summary are statistically significant at the p<.05 level or below.

3 INTRODUCTION This report examines alcohol use among undergraduate and graduate students at the Ohio State University, with a focus on differences in use by demographic characteristics. Data for this report come from the American College Health Association s National College Health Assessment II (ACHA-NCHA II). NCHA is a voluntary, web-based survey that assesses topics of general health and wellness. In spring 2014, the survey was administered to 10,000 Ohio State students and yielded 1,114 responses (a response rate of 11.1%). Please note that given the low response rate, results should be interpreted with caution and should not be assumed to be generalizable. Not every respondent answered each question. All differences presented in the report are statistically significant at p<.05 level or below. DEMOGRAPHICS Gender % International Student % Male 34.1% Yes 9.9% Female 65.7% No 90.1% Transgender 0.3% Fraternity or Sorority % Member Class Rank % Yes 11.1% Rank No 88.9% Rank Rank % Intramural Sport Participant Rank % Yes 22.2% Rank 5 5.4% No 77.8% Grad/Professional 25.3% Other 0.4% Varsity Athlete Yes 2.9% No 97.1% Race/Ethnicity % Self-Reported Grades % Black or African American 4.8% Mostly A s 47.8% Hispanic or Latino(a) 3.9% Mostly B s 38.9% Asian American 10.7% Mostly C s 11.6% American Indian 1.4% Mostly D/F s 0.5% White 76.7% Biracial/Multiracial 2.5% %

4 RESULTS Frequency of Alcohol Consumption This section examines frequency of alcohol consumption during the last 30 days. Several demographic groups exhibited statistically significant differences in alcohol consumption habits, as depicted in the charts below. International students (28.7%) were more likely to report never using alcohol than domestic students (15.8%). 4 Within the last 30 days, on how many days did you use alcohol?* % 28.7% Never used 12.2% 9.3% Have used, not last 30 days 21.1% 15.7% 16.7% 14.3% % Domestic International 3.7% 2.3%.7% days 3-5 days 6-9 days days days Used daily Intramural sports participants (68.5%), were more likely to drink alcohol on three or more days in the last 30 compared to non-intramural sports participants (53.4%). 4 Within the last 30 days, on how many days did you use alcohol?** % 18.8% 15.7% 12.1% 10.8% 10.4% 10.4% 24.1% 23.2% 15.6% 14.4% 18.3% Non-Participant Intramural Sport Participant Never used Have used, not last 30 days 2.4% 2.9%.8% days 3-5 days 6-9 days days days Used daily

5 Underclass (first- and second-year) students reported drinking less frequently than upperclass (third-year undergraduate or more) students or graduate students. Upperclass students surveyed had the highest percentages of students who drank both days (19.6%) and days (3.9%) during the last 30 days. 4 Within the last 30 days, on how many days did you use alcohol?** % % 19.2% 19.6% 16.8% 17.3% 15.7% 14.9% 15.4% 14.4% 16.3% 13.8% 14.9% 12.1% 10.5% 9.8% 9.5% Underclass students Upperclass students Graduate students Never used Binge Drinking Have used, not last 30 days 3.9% 1.6% 1.4%.3%.7% 1.1% 1-2 days 3-5 days 6-9 days days days Used daily This section examines binge drinking behaviors, or how many times students report having five or more drinks of alcohol in a sitting during the last two weeks. Male students were much more likely to report binge drinking; 44.1% of males had five or more drinks at least once during the last two weeks, compared to 32.5% of females Female Male % 19.5% 46.9% 36.5% 32.5% 44.1%

6 A higher percentatge of domestic students (37.3%) reported binge drinking one or more times in the last two weeks compared to international students (29.) Domestic International % 31.8% 43.8% 39.3% 37.3% 29. Members of fraternities and sororities were significantly more likely to report binge drinking during the past two weeks (57.) compared to non-fraternity/sorority members (34.). Nonfraternity/sorority members were also more likely to report that they do not drink compared to fraternity and sorority members (21.5% v. 9.9%, respectively) Unaffiliated students Fraternity/Sorority Member % % 9.9% 33.1% 34.

7 Based on students self-reported average grades, students with an average of D/F report binge drinking significantly less (16.7%) in the last two weeks than students with average C grades (38.9%), C grades (41.6%) and A grades (32.5%) drinks of alcohol in a sitting?* 33.3% 19.9% 19.8% % 42.1% 38.5% 32.5% 41.6% 38.9% A B C 16.7% D/F Over half of intramural sports participants (52.5%) had five or more drinks in a sitting in the previous two weeks. Less than one-third (32.3%) of all non-intramural participants reported engaging in binge drinking over the same time period. 10 Non-Participant 8 Intramural Sport Participant % 52.5% % 12.5% % Upperclass students were the most likely to report binge drinking in the previous two weeks (43.7%), compared to underclass students (36.6%) and graduate students (25.2%).

8 % Underclass students Upperclass students Graduate students % 14.1% 16.1% 42.1% 43.7% 33.1% 36.6% 25.2% Negative Effects of Alcohol Use on Academic Performance Students answered the question, within the last 12 months, has alcohol use affected your academic performance? International students were more likely to report that alcohol use negatively affected their academic performance (7.4%) compared to domestic students (4.2%). 10 Within the last 12 months, has alcohol use affected your academic performance?** % Domestic % 41.2% International Student 2 Not experienced, N/A 23.1% Experienced but academics not negatively affected 4.2% 7.4% Academics negatively affected Fraternity and sorority members were also more likely to have their academic performance negatively affected by alcohol use (7.4%) compared to non-fraternity/sorority members (4.1%).

9 10 Within the last 12 months, has alcohol use affected your academic performance?* % 43.8% 38.6% 48.8% Unaffiliated student Fraternity/Sorority Member 2 Not experienced, N/A Experienced but academics not negatively affected 4.1% 7.4% Academics negatively affected There are statistically significant differences regarding the negative effects of alcohol use by class rank. Approximately 6% of upperclass students report that their academics were negatively affected by alcohol use, compared to 5.1% of underclass students, and 0.7% of graduate students. 10 Within the last 12 months, has alcohol use affected your academic performance?** % 39.9% 43.6% 32. Underclass students Upperclass students Graduate students 2 Not experienced, N/A Experienced but academics not negatively affected 5.1% 6.4% 0.7% Academics negatively affected