ALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION BY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

This study examines a prediction of alcohol consumption in a sample of 212 undergraduate students at a university in Sydney. Data were colle cted using self-administered questionnaires, given to students in Seme sters one and two. During both semesters the college residents reporte d drinking significantly more alcohol than students living elsewhere, but during vacation the intake of the two groups was approximately equ al. Higher alcohol consumption in Semester two was best predicted by h igher Semester one intake, followed by more consumption by friends and higher parental occupation status. Female students residing on campus were those most likely to be drinking at hazardous levels. Results al so indicated that a significant proportion of residential students wer e drinking at hazardous levels, and that prevention interventions may need to focus on changing the attitudes and behavior of the social gro up.