APPLICATION OF A BOGUS TESTING PROCEDURE TO DETERMINE COLLEGE-STUDENTS UTILIZATION OF GENETIC SCREENING FOR ALCOHOLISM

A convenience sample of 181 college students took part in a quasi-expe rimental study that tested the use of generic screening for alcoholism -a test that does not yet exist. A questionnaire was administered befo re and after the students viewed a presentation that accurately explai ned genetic susceptibility to alcoholism bur misled them by offering ' 'a newly available'' test. Alcohol-related variables were assessed bef ore the presentation. Test-seeking intention and reasons for and again st testing were assessed after the presentation. Regression analysis f ound that being Caucasian, female, and somewhat older than traditional college age, and having a history of early drunkenness were significa nt predictors of testing intention. During the week following data col lection, only 7 participants (4%) attempted to schedule a test. Implic ations of these findings and the ethical issues related to predictive screening for alcoholism in the college population are discussed.