Second-hand effects of college drinking and educational experiences: Findings from an analysis of pooled cross-sections

Abstract

Aims: Research from several countries has demonstrated the prevalence of exposure to alcohol’s second-hand effects. This study adds to this literature with an examination of the relationships between exposure and grades and school satisfaction among the US college and university students. Methods: The study used pooled cross-sectional data from the four rounds (1993, 1997, 1999 and 2001) of the Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study (N = 53,061). Random samples of students at four-year colleges and universities completed self-report mailed surveys and provided information on the frequency of their exposure to alcohol’s second-hand effects, their own drinking behaviour, college grades, school satisfaction and backgrounds. Findings: Multilevel, multivariate logit analyses showed significant, negative associations between exposure to second-hand effects and both grades and school satisfaction (p < 0.05). These effects were pronounced among abstainers and light drinkers compared to students who consumed alcohol more frequently. Drinking level also moderated the relationship between exposure and satisfaction with college: this association was significantly larger for abstainers and infrequent drinkers (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The majority of students reported exposure to alcohol’s second-hand effects; this exposure was negatively associated with grades and satisfaction with school. Colleges and universities could help reduce the negative consequences of second-hand exposure by providing all students – abstainers and drinkers alike – with information on its negative consequences. They could also create more opportunities for students to live and socialize in alcohol-free settings.

• Abstainers
• alcohol
• college grades
• college satisfaction
• second-hand effects

Declaration of interest

This research was not externally funded or sponsored. The authors do not have any conflict of interest and they did not receive any writing or editorial assistance in preparing this article.