Psychology ETDs

Kylee Hagler

Publication Date

9-12-2014

Abstract

Excessive alcohol consumption among college students has been linked to many negative consequences (e.g. Chou et al., 2006). Normative beliefs about alcohol use have been associated with college alcohol use such that students who estimate higher drinking among peers and students who perceive higher approval for drinking from peers tend to drink more (e.g. Neighbors, Lee, Lewis, Fossos, & Larimer, 2007). However, many studies examining normative beliefs have been conducted with only non-Hispanic White (NHW) college students. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between normative beliefs about drinking and four alcohol variables in a sample of Native American (NA) and NHW college students. One hundred forty-seven NA and 253 NHW undergraduate students enrolled at a large Southwestern university completed a short online survey assessing both their normative beliefs about alcohol and their own drinking behavior. Results indicated no significant differences in alcohol use behaviors between drinkers of either ethnicity. Three-step hierarchical linear regressions predicting drinking variables from normative beliefs indicated that estimated drinks per week of the participants best friends was the most robust positive predictor of alcohol use variables. Results from this study can be used to inform future alcohol interventions for both NA and NHW college students.

Degree Name

Psychology

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Psychology

First Committee Member (Chair)

Tonigan, Scott

Second Committee Member

McCrady, Barbara

Sponsors

UNM Institute for American Indian Research

Language

English

Keywords

alcohol, Native Americans, college students

Document Type

Thesis

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