Self-control, Risky Sex, and Alcohol: How do College Girls Roll?

• In Event: Posters I

Abstract

Although researchers have extensively examined underage drinking in college students, a huge research gap still exists on gender differences with assumption of males’ drinking and engaging in risky sexual behaviors while intoxicated surpassing those of females. Some theoretical assumptions on higher behavioral constraints and higher parental involvement in females compared to males partially supported that evidence, though the phenomenon is still inconclusive. Informed by Gottfredson and Hirschi’s Self-Control Theory, we aimed to further examine the relationship between parenting practices (connectedness, monitoring, and support), self-control, alcohol use, and risky sexual behaviors (number of sex partners, contraception use) among underage female college students (N=171; mean: 20.6). Preliminary results show that though parenting practices did not significantly predict alcohol use and risky sexual behaviors, they were significantly associated with self-control, whereas self-control was significantly associated with alcohol use but not with risky sex. Further analysis would explore the potential mediating paths of parenting practices and self-control on alcohol use and risky sex. Theoretical and practical implications will be discussed as they relate to gender differences in effects of parenting practices and self-control on underage drinking and risky sex. Implications for future research on female underage drinking and associated behaviors will be further addressed.

Authors

• Manju Chawla, Texas Tech University

• Elizabeth Trejos-Castillo, Texas Tech University