Staying Safe While Consuming Alcohol: A Qualitative Study of the Protective Strategies and Informational Needs of College Freshmen

Objective: In this qualitative study, the authors examined how students attempt to minimize harm to themselves and others when drinking. Participants: The authors recruited freshmen at a large, mid-Atlantic US public university during the fall semester of 2005 to participate in 8 focus groups. Metho...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of American college health 2007-11, Vol.56 (3), p.247-254
Main Authors: Howard, Donna Elise, Griffin, Melinda, Boekeloo, Bradley, Lake, Kristin, Bellows, Denise
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
alcohol
Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol consumption
Alcohol Drinking - psychology
Alcohol Education
Alcohol use
College campuses
College Freshmen
college health
College students
Coping
Drinking
Female
Focus Groups
gender
Gender differences
Harm Reduction
Health Behavior
Health Education
Humans
Interrater Reliability
Intervention
Interventions
Male
Phenomenology
Qualitative research
Safety
Social Environment
Student Attitudes
Student Health Services
Students - psychology
Studies
Temperance
Undergraduate students
United States - epidemiology
Universities
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Summary:Objective: In this qualitative study, the authors examined how students attempt to minimize harm to themselves and others when drinking. Participants: The authors recruited freshmen at a large, mid-Atlantic US public university during the fall semester of 2005 to participate in 8 focus groups. Methods: The moderator's guide was developed through an iterative process that included input from experts and pilot testing. The researchers audiotaped focus group conversations, transcribed them, and subjected them to an interrater reliability check. Analysis was based on the framework of Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model and a phenomenological approach. Results: College students have a repertoire of coping strategies they use in an attempt to safeguard themselves and their friends from harm when drinking. Strategies encompass planning a safe context for drinking, using safety measures to minimize harm when drinking, and taking care of someone who has consumed too much alcohol. Conclusions: A harm-reduction focus that acknowledges and builds on existing protective strategies may be a promising avenue for alcohol interventions.
ISSN:0744-8481
1940-3208
DOI:10.3200/JACH.56.3.247-254