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Readiness to change drinking among heavy-drinking college students
P W Vik1, K A Culbertson, K Sellers
1Department of Psychology, Idaho State University, Pocatello 83209-8112, USA.
Journal of Studies on Alcohol
|October 7, 2000
Summary
Most college students who drink heavily are not ready to change their drinking habits, despite experiencing negative consequences. This study assessed readiness to change using the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES).
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Heavy alcohol consumption is prevalent among college students.
- Understanding motivation to change drinking behavior is crucial for intervention development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES) factor structure in heavy-drinking college students.
- To establish normative data for SOCRATES among this population.
- To develop a method for determining readiness to change heavy drinking.
- To compare demographic and drinking variables across different stages of change.
Main Methods:
- 278 undergraduates reporting heavy drinking completed the SOCRATES and other questionnaires.
- Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the SOCRATES factor structure.
- Participants were categorized into Precontemplation, Contemplation, or Action stages based on the transtheoretical model.
Main Results:
- The SOCRATES factor structure received modest support.
- 67% of students were in Precontemplation, 20% in Contemplation, and 13% in Action.
- Students in the Contemplation stage reported higher frequency, quantity, and episodes of heavy drinking, along with more alcohol-related consequences.
Conclusions:
- A significant majority (67%) of heavy-drinking college students are in the Precontemplation stage, indicating low readiness to reduce alcohol consumption.
- Despite negative consequences and tolerance, many students do not perceive a need to change their drinking behaviors.
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