COLLEGE DRINKING GAME PARTICIPATION WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF OTHER PREDICTORS OF ALCOHOL-USE AND PROBLEMS

One hundred and fifty-one alcohol-using college students completed a questionnaire on their frequency of drinking game participation, usual amount drunk during these games, and their own and perceived others' reasons for playing. Respondents also reported on their levels of alcohol use, moderate to severe problems with alcohol use, expectancies of the effects of alcohol on their moods and behaviors, perceived norms of significant others for levels of alcohol use, and reasons for drinking and not drinking alcohol. They completed the Eysenck I.7 measure of impulsivity, venturesomeness, and empathy. Reported frequencies of drinking game participation were very high in this sample and were significantly associated with several known predictors of alcohol use and problems. Game playing was a highly significant predictor of heavy alcohol use over and above other predictors. The influence of game playing on alcohol problems was found to be mediated by heavy alcohol use.