Consequences and Peer Influence as Proximal and Contextual Factors in Alcohol Consumption

The present study examines the role of positive and negative consequences and peer influence as proximal and contextual variables that influence drinking in college students. Data from a sample of 1482 students who completed the CORE survey in 2006 and 2007 were utilized to test three models predicting the likelihood of alcohol use in the 30 days prior to survey completion. The final model reflected the best fit of the data and indicated that both positive and negative consequences were positively associated with a greater likelihood of drinking while freshman standing and being a racial and ethnic minority were negatively associated. Two variables assessing the influence of peer pressure were also significant in the final model, suggesting that peer pressure continues to play a role in drinking behavior, even when controlling for the role of consequences. The implications of the findings for interventions are discussed.