Behavioral and Self-Concept Antecedents and Correlates of College-Student Drinking Patterns

Abstract

This predictive study identified behavioral and self-concept or personality variables which differentiated freshman college-student abstainers who became drinkers from abstainers who remained abstinent during their freshman year. Similar variables which differentiated between college-student heavy drinkers who decreased their consumption of alcohol and heavy drinkers who remained heavy drinkers were also identified. The initial group differences increased and developed with time. Knowledge of characteristics which antedate changes in drinking patterns may prove useful in identifying individuals at high risk for alcohol abuse.