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Objective. This study examines relationships between alcohol-related aggression and drinking at off-campus parties and bars. Other background variables include gender, year in school, residence, and heavy drinking in college.
Method. The study participants were respondents in the 1997 and 1999 Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study (CAS), national surveys of students attending 119 4-year US colleges. Based upon responses from 11,965 students 18-22 years of age and never married who drank alcohol at least once a month, an exploratory factor analysis of the alcohol problem items was specified in a confirmatory factor analysis framework based on a two-factor solution (disruptive behavior related to own drinking and interpersonal aggression related to other's drinking) and the two factors were related to study variables. Levels of alcohol use were related to both factors among 6,472 students who attended both off-campus parties and bars.
Results. Disruptive behaviors were higher among males, freshmen, residents in coed dorms and Greek houses, heavier drinkers, and students attending parties. Interpersonal aggressive behavior was higher among females, freshmen compared to seniors, off-campus residence with parents, heavier drinkers, and students attending both parties and bars. Among students attending both parties and bars, level of drinking was related to higher levels of disruptive behaviors at off-campus parties but not off-campus bars. Level of drinking was related to higher levels of interpersonal aggressive at off-campus bars but not off-campus parties.
Conclusion. Findings from this study highlight environmental factors in collegiate drinking practices and support targeted and diverse strategies for prevention activities.
Keywords: College Students, Alcohol Epidemiology, Alcohol-related Aggression, Drinking Settings
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