Under the Influence: The Examination of Alcohol Use in Acadia University Students

By: De-Anne Theriault & Chris Shortall

Literature Review

Turrisi, R., & Nicholson, B., (1999). An examination of the utility of server intervention to reduce alcohol-related problems in college students. Journal of Applied Social Psychology 29, (3), 622-638.

Alva, S. A., (1998). Self-reported alcohol use of college fraternity and sorority members. Journal of College Student Development 39, (1), 3-10.

Coll, M. K., (1999). An assessment of drinking patterns and drinking problems among community college students: Implications for programming. Journal of College Student Development 40, (1), 98-100.

Purpose/Hypothesis

The present study will examine the relationship between apprehension for policy violations by students, and whether or not alcohol was involved. Also, this study will look at related incidents involving alcohol.

The hypothesis tested whether male students residing on campus were more likely than females to be apprehended for a breach in university policy or other related incident which involved alcohol use.

Purpose (continued)

Also, whether students living on campus are more likely to be apprehended by campus security for alcohol related incidents than those residing off.

In addition, whether more offences or incidents occurr during the first two measured time intervals (welcome week), than during any other time interval

Student Sample (participants)

The population of interest was Acadia University students registered in the fall semester.

Also, only students whom have been apprehended for breaches in the University policy (as outlined in the student handbook), and entered into the security database, will be included in this study.

Of interest was the role that Alcohol plays in these offences.

Also of interest: Age, Gender, Place of Residence (on or off campus), and the date of the offence/policy violation.

Methods……...

Each .856 card file was printed into a hard copy the records were cross referenced with the

student nominal role, and incident reports written by security personel. This was done in order to determine; registration as a student, age, place of residence (on or off of campus), gender, and the date of offence.

The date of the offence was then subdivided into the three categories of time; and thirteen intervals by date. This was be used to determine the frequency of alcohol use on campus.

Importance Although studies have examined the

relationship between alcohol use and rate of health, academic achievement, and peer relationships, this topic remains important as an indicator of the consequences faced by university students today when consuming alcohol.

Particularly in suggesting that if excess alcohol use was avoided, the level of breaches in university policy may decrease making the University a better and safer academic environment.

Results...

The first hypothesis examined whether or not male students living on campus were more likely than female students living on campus to be apprehended for alcohol related offences.

Results from a chi-square test, 2 (2, N = 70) = 2.281, p > .05, indicated that there was no significant relationship shown between males living arrangements and alcohol related offences.

Results from a chi-square test, 2 (1, N = 70) = .042, p > .05, indicated that there was no significant relationship shown between females living arrangements and alcohol related offences.

Results continued...

The second hypothesis examined whether or not a difference was evident between students living on or off campus for alcohol related offences.

There was a much higher frequency of offences involving students living on (n = 47) campus rather than off campus (n = 23).

This hypothesis was also not supported by the chi-square test, 2 (2, N = 70) = 1.566, p > .05.

Results continued...

The third hypothesis was that more alcohol related offences would occur during the first two predetermined time intervals than during any other interval throughout the semester.

Interestingly, it was noted that 21.4% of the offences or related incidents took place during the September 20-27 time interval, three weeks into the first academic term.

This hypothesis was not supported by the chi-square test, 2 (22, N = 70) = 21.966, p > .05.

Why use these measures?

Chi square tests were chosen because they are used on categorical data, and they compare the expected frequencies and the actual counts of the variable.

This produces quick and accurate results and the large p values indicate that the observed values do not differ significantly from the expected values.

In Closing...

Our data, even though inconclusive, does provide at least some basic analysis of the campus security data base.

Hopefully in the future the data base will be consistently analyzed by security personnel so they can better ensure the safety of students on campus and curb alcohol related offences.