Malt liquor use, heavy/problem drinking and other problem behaviors in a sample of community college students

Objective: This study examined the prevalence of malt liquor use and its relationship with heavy or problem drinking, other substance use and other problem behaviors in a sample of 1,029 (58% female) students attending a community college in California. Method: Data were collected using anonymous surveys that were administered during daytime classes. Bivariate analyses were conducted to examine relationships between malt liquor use and demographic characteristics, heavy/problem drinking and other types of substance use and problem behaviors. Logistic regression analyses also were conducted to determine whether malt liquor use was predictive of problem drinking, drug use and other problem behavior after adjusting for background variables. Results: Malt liquor use was most prevalent among male, white and Latino students. Compared with nonmalt liquor drinkers, malt liquor drinkers consumed significantly more alcohol, engaged in heavy drinking more often and experienced intoxication more often. Malt liquor drinkers scored significantly higher on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test than nonmalt liquor drinkers. Malt liquor drinkers were more likely than nonmalt liquor drinkers and abstainers to report use of cigarettes, marijuana and illicit drugs and to exhibit problem behaviors. Malt liquor use was predictive of problem drinking, drug use and other problem behavior after adjusting for demographics and alcohol use in regression analyses. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that malt liquor use is associated with heavy and problem drinking, other drug use and behavioral problems among community college students.