Citation

Leavens EL, Leffingwell TR, Miller MB, Brett EI, Lombardi N. J. Am. Coll. Health 2016; 65(4): 243-249.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology , Oklahoma State University , 116 North Murray, Stillwater , OK 74078.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2016.1271803

PMID

28010180

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Research suggests college students rate some alcohol-related consequences less negatively than others, yet it is unclear how or when these differences in perception develop. The current study compared college students' subjective evaluations of alcohol-related consequences that they had and had not experienced in order to test the hypothesis that students become desensitized to the consequences they experience.

METHOD: Participants (N = 269) completed measures of drinking behaviors, consequences experienced, and subjective evaluations of consequences via an online survey.

RESULTS: Participants rated consequences they had personally experienced more positively than those they had not experienced. Similarly, individuals who reported experiencing consequences rated them as significantly more positive than those who had not experienced the same consequences.

CONCLUSIONS: Experience with consequences is associated with more positive evaluations of those consequences. Therefore, it may be important to consider individuals' experiences with, and evaluations of, alcohol-related consequences in college student drinking interventions.

Language: en