Christina Foster’s scientific contributions

Alcohol-related consequences among students have been a source of concern for colleges nationwide. Prior research shows that alcohol may lower a person’s inhibitions and reduce their capacity to make responsible, safe decisions [1]. As such, as a student’s alcohol consumption increases, so may his or her odds of engaging in risky behaviors that may yield negative consequences such as alcohol poising, and sexual related consequences (e.g. STIs, pregnancies, rape, etc.). In the present study, 923 college students were surveyed at a regional university in the South (67% female, 31% male) about their alcohol consumption and negative alcohol-related consequences they have experienced. Older female college students reported experiencing more negative alcohol-related consequences than males. Students who participated in intramural sports, were associated with a Greek organization, were involved in an abusive relationship, had increased perceived stress, or who suffered from depression reported significantly more alcohol use and negative alcohol-related consequences. In contrast, college students that received higher grade point averages reported less consumption of alcohol and experienced fewer negative alcohol-related consequences. Two scales were used as predictors of negative consequence of student drinking behaviors. The depressive symptoms scale included 11 items such as, “Have you ever felt very lonely,” “Have you ever felt very sad,” and “Have you ever felt so depressed it was difficult to function?” These items were coded, 0 “Never,” 1 “Not in the last 12 months,” 2 “In the past 12 months,” 3 “In the last 30 days,” 4 “In the last 2 weeks.” The mean of these 11 items was computed to represent a mean depressive symptom score (Cronbach’s α = 0.87). The stress scale included a series of 12 items which began, “Within the last 12 months, has any of the following been traumatic or very difficult for you to handle” and continued with items such as, “Academics,” “Family problems,” and “Finances.” These items were coded 0 “No” and 1 “Yes.” A sum score was computed to indicate the number of stressful life events that each participant experienced in the past 12 months (Cronbach’s α = 0.82). Finally, the predictor Emotional abuse was measured with the item, “Within the past 12 months, have you been in an intimate (couple/partnered) relationship that was emotionally abusive? (e.g. called derogatory names, yelled at, ridiculed?)” Responses to this item were coded 0 “No” and 1 “Yes”.