College alcohol-control policies and students' alcohol consumption: A matter of exposure?

Source: DEMERS, ANDRÉE, NANCY BEAUREGARD, and LOUIS GLIKSMAN. "College Alcohol-Control Policies And Students' Alcohol Consumption: A Matter Of Exposure?." Contemporary Drug Problems 40.2 (2013): 191-214. Academic Search Complete. Web. 3 Nov. 2015.

Summary: This Canadian scientific study examines college students’ drinking patterns and how their environment motivates them to binge drink. It also covers the concept of how the student’s area of residency and the college’s alcohol policy influence their behaviors. The article also talks of a difference between on-campus and off-campus residents and how their drinking patterns differ. “...significant differences were observed among campus and noncampus residents, with the former displaying increased levels of usual alcohol quantity drank and tending to consume alcohol on campus in greater proportions.” This shows that living on a campus puts the student at a higher risk of drinking than those living off-campus.

Quality: This article is backed by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. This institute is a federal agency funded by the Canadian government. This leads us to believe that it's a reputable source. Additionally, the results of this survey resemble a survey done by the Harvard School of Public Health which relates these results to American Universities. Thus, showing it's relevance to our post. Also this study covers a broad range of schools, and has specific requirements (for example: (a) presence of a Registrar; b) membership exceeding 1000 full-time degree undergraduates; c) physical attendance of classes; d) non-military or religious mission; e) public-based funding) (198) for each university in order to prevent an outlier.

Issues: This study deals with Canadian students, which have lower minimum drinking age in most areas. The methods of acquiring data from students could have some areas for inaccuracy due to the survey being self-responding. Due to this method there is room for dishonesty in the subjects’ answers. While there are sources from 2012 backing this study’s data up, the original study is 11 years old as of the year of 2015. Due to changes of behavior and culture throughout the years this study may now be irrelevant.

Key Words:

Alcohol consumption

Place of residence

Alcohol-control policies

Canada

Drinking

College Drinking