Pregaming: A Field-Based Investigation of Alcohol Quantities Consumed Prior to Visiting a Bar and Restaurant District

Background: Investigations examining the association between pregaming, or the consumption of alcohol prior to attending a social gathering or drinking establishment, and blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) have primarily relied on estimations (i.e., Widmark equation), rather than objective biologic samples, such as breath alcohol concentration (BrAC). Objectives: The current study assessed: (1) pregaming, using quantity-based measures, among a sample of college and non-college affiliated bar patrons, (2) associations between pregaming intensity/status and participant intoxication (BrAC), and (3) whether participants who pregamed were more likely to identify as a hazardous drinker. Methods: 548 bar patrons provided data on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) and a single pregaming item assessing quantity of alcohol consumed prior to visiting a bar/restaurant district in 2015. BrAC samples were collected post interview. We used hierarchical linear regression models, respectively, to assess whether pregaming significantly impacted BrAC and whether presence of hazardous drinking predicted pregaming behavior. Results After controlling for sex, race/ethnicity, age, student status, and Greek affiliation, the linear regression model explained 32.3% (R2 =.323) of the variance of BrAC levels (F(12)= 21.162, p<0.001), with 4.30% of the variance explained solely by pregaming (β =0.014; p<0.001). The linear regression model to assess if harzardous drinking behavior (AUDIT-C) significantly predicted pregaming explained 31.2% (R2 =.312) of the variance of pregaming behavior (F(18)= 13.276, p<0.001), with 4.2% of the variance explained solely by AUDIT-C scores (β =0.280; p<0.001). Conclusion: Findings further highlight pregaming as a harmful risk behavior linked to elevated levels of hazardous drinking and intoxication

Pregaming: A Field-Based Investigation of Alcohol Quantities Consumed Prior to Visiting a Bar and Restaurant District

Background: Investigations examining the association between pregaming, or the consumption of alcohol prior to attending a social gathering or drinking establishment, and blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) have primarily relied on estimations (i.e., Widmark equation), rather than objective biologic samples, such as breath alcohol concentration (BrAC). Objectives: The current study assessed: (1) pregaming, using quantity-based measures, among a sample of college and non-college affiliated bar patrons, (2) associations between pregaming intensity/status and participant intoxication (BrAC), and (3) whether participants who pregamed were more likely to identify as a hazardous drinker. Methods: 548 bar patrons provided data on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) and a single pregaming item assessing quantity of alcohol consumed prior to visiting a bar/restaurant district in 2015. BrAC samples were collected post interview. We used hierarchical linear regression models, respectively, to assess whether pregaming significantly impacted BrAC and whether presence of hazardous drinking predicted pregaming behavior. Results After controlling for sex, race/ethnicity, age, student status, and Greek affiliation, the linear regression model explained 32.3% (R2 =.323) of the variance of BrAC levels (F(12)= 21.162, p&lt;0.001), with 4.30% of the variance explained solely by pregaming (ß =0.014\; p&lt;0.001). The linear regression model to assess if harzardous drinking behavior (AUDIT-C) significantly predicted pregaming explained 31.2% (R2 =.312) of the variance of pregaming behavior (F(18)= 13.276, p&lt;0.001), with 4.2% of the variance explained solely by AUDIT-C scores (ß =0.280\; p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Findings further highlight pregaming as a harmful risk behavior linked to elevated levels of hazardous drinking and intoxication

Exploring personal values, attitudes, perceived injunctive and descriptive norms, and intrapersonal value-attitude relationships in relation to alcohol use and alcohol-related problems among college students

Alcohol use among college students continues to be a public health issue in spite of health promotion activities and programming. College alcohol use literature regularly examines the impact of perceived norms on alcohol use; however, little research has been done on the influence of personal values on alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between personal values, attitudes, perceived injunctive and descriptive norms, alcohol, and alcohol-related problems. The study also conceptualized and tested an idea termed intrapersonal value-attitude relationship, which was an interaction between values and attitudes. The current study employed a cross-sectional design utilizing a paper-and pencil survey administered to college students (n=910) within the classrooms. Personal attitudes and perceived descriptive norms of alcohol-related problems consistently predicted alcohol use and alcohol-related problems even after controlling for potential confounding variables. The exploration of the innovative concept of intrapersonal value-attitude relationship is a first step to examine the complex relationships between values and attitudes. Findings from this study suggest that the examination of values, attitudes, injunctive and descriptive norms are relevant and worth investigating further in regard to alcohol use and other health behaviors. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries