Perceptions of drinking problems among undergraduate students in the United States and Scotland

This study compares the perceptions of problem drinking and preferred explanations for problem drinking held by 440 undergraduate students in the United States and 185 in Scotland. Respondents' drinking habits influenced perceptions of drinking problems in both nations. The Scottish sample, with drinking habits statistically controlled, was less likely to perceive drinking problems than the United States sample and was less likely to endorse a physiological explanation for drinking problems. The importance of different perceptions in influencing decisions to seek help is discussed.