HIGH-RISK DRINKING ACROSS THE TRANSITION FROM HIGH-SCHOOL TO COLLEGE

Alcohol use and related problems were studied from the senior year in high school to the first autumn in college for 366 heavy drinking stud ents. Four risk factors-subject sex, family history of drinking proble ms, prior conduct problems, and type of college residence-were evaluat ed as predictors of: (1) differential changes in drinking rates, (2) d ifferential changes in alcohol-related problems, and (3) alcohol depen dence symptoms during the first college term. Results suggest that bot h dispositional and environmental factors are associated with changes in drinking rates and the existence of dependence symptoms. Increases in the frequency of drinking were specifically and strongly associated with residence in a fraternity (men) or sorority (women). Three risk factors were associated with increased quantity of drinking: male gend er, residence in a fraternity or sorority, and a history of conduct pr oblems. Prior conduct problems were also consistently associated with dependence symptoms during the first term in college. A family history of alcohol problems was not consistently related to changes in use ra tes or problems, although some analyses suggest interactive effects. E arly interventions on college campuses should target individuals using additive risk profiles.