Citation

McGee R, Williams S, Kypri K. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2010; 109(1-3): 236-238.

Affiliation

Cancer Society of NZ Social and Behavioural Research Unit, Preventive and Social Medicine, Frederick St, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, PO Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2009.12.009

PMID

20106607

Abstract

We assessed the criterion-related validity of a contemplation ladder used to determine college students' readiness to reduce binge drinking. 1356 students in halls of residence in Dunedin, New Zealand completed a self-report survey including the contemplation ladder, AUDIT questionnaire, and other alcohol-related measures. Two groups of binge drinkers were identified, one reporting bingeing more than twice per week (n=645), and one bingeing 1-2 times per week (n=237). A third group did not report binge drinking (n=474). A higher readiness to change binge drinking was associated with more frequent bingeing, more interpersonal and academic problems with alcohol, less frequent use of cannabis, and living in a hall with a norm of binge drinking. The contemplation ladder for alcohol was sensitive to other alcohol-related behaviours, and may be useful in surveys of drinking where a brief measure of readiness to change is needed.

Language: en