Paying for the Party? Binge Drinking, Risky Sexual Behavior, Social Class, and College Graduation

• In Event: Addressing Alcohol Use and Risky Behaviors Among Teens and Emerging Adults

Abstract

The party scene on college campuses remains both a draw to students and a concern for parents and administrators. Substance use on campuses, including binge drinking, also remains a significant problem. Previous research into the party subculture, much of it qualitative, has noted that the consequences of the party subculture may be social class specific, with first generation students most negatively affected, and continuing generation students in some cases benefitting from the subculture. Another element of the party subculture that has not been adequately examined, particularly within quantitative studies, is the potential consequences of risky sexual behavior. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, and a subset enrolled in post-secondary institutions, the present study examines how binge drinking and sexual risk taking are independently and jointly associated with college graduation, and the potential mediating role alcohol-related problems such as problems at school or work, regretful sexual situations, being hung over). We examine associations separately by gender and college generation status (first vs continuing generation). Findings suggest that both binge drinking and risky sexual behavior are associated with proximal problems and graduation, but the differences across generational and gender subgroups are complex.

Authors

• Ray Swisher, Bowling Green State University

• Emily Bragg, Bowling Green State University