Perceptions About Residence Hall Wingmates and Alcohol-Related Secondhand Effects Among College Freshmen

Objective: The authors examined the secondhand effects among college freshmen of others' alcohol use and related student characteristics, and perceptions about residence hallmates. Participants: The authors surveyed 509 incoming freshmen residing in predominantly freshman residence halls. Metho...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of American college health 2009-05, Vol.57 (6), p.619-628
Main Authors: Boekeloo, Bradley O., Bush, Elizabeth N., Novik, Melinda G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescents
Adult
alcohol
Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol consumption
Alcohol Drinking - psychology
Alcohol related
Alcohol use
Alcoholic Intoxication - psychology
Behavior
college
College campuses
College Freshmen
College students
Computer based
Dangerous Behavior
Dormitories
Drinking
Female
freshman
Gender Differences
Humans
Intervention
Male
Peer Influence
Peer Relationship
peers
Perception
Perceptions
Residence
Residence Characteristics
Resident Advisers
secondhand effects
Social Attitudes
Student Characteristics
Student Experience
Students - psychology
Universities
Violence
Warrants
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Summary:Objective: The authors examined the secondhand effects among college freshmen of others' alcohol use and related student characteristics, and perceptions about residence hallmates. Participants: The authors surveyed 509 incoming freshmen residing in predominantly freshman residence halls. Methods: The authors administered a Web-based survey 2 months into the 2006 fall academic semester. Results: Most (80%) students experienced at least 1 secondhand effect. Participants' perceptions of wingmates' acceptance and expectation of alcohol use and participants' perceived inability to protect themselves against alcohol problems were related to experiencing secondhand effects, as were being a female and a drinker. Conclusions: Incoming college freshmen frequently experienced secondhand effects of alcohol use. Involving residence halls in norms-based interventions aimed at reducing secondhand effects warrants evaluation. Further research is also needed to examine skill building among college students to avoid and intervene into others' drinking and to examine resident advisor roles as both engenderers of trust and cooperation as well as enforcers of alcohol rules.
ISSN:0744-8481
1940-3208
DOI:10.3200/JACH.57.6.619-628