Short- and long-term effects of fraternity and sorority membership on heavy drinking: A social norms perspective

This study sought to determine whether the well-established relation betwee n fraternity/sorority (Greek) membership and heavy alcohol use persists bey ond the college years and whether some common third variables might account for the relation between Greek status and heavy drinking. During each of 4 years of college and I additional year, young adults (N = 319) completed m easures of alcohol use, personality, alcohol expectancies, and environmenta l influences on drinking. Throughout the college years, Greeks consistently drank more heavily than non-Greeks. Statistically controlling for previous alcohol use did not eliminate this effect. However, Greek status did not p redict postcollege heavy drinking levels. Also, perceived peer norms for he avy drinking mediated the relation between Greek affiliation and heavy alco hol use. Results are discussed in terms of situational determinants of heav y alcohol involvement in young adults.