Binge drinking: not the word of choice

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Educators and researchers seek precise terminology for replicable behavior measurement.
• Binge drinking is a commonly used term to describe problematic alcohol consumption.
• Current definitions of binge drinking focus on the quantity of alcohol consumed within a specific timeframe.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the alignment between the established definition of binge drinking and students' perceptions of problematic drinking.
• To explore alternative terminology that better reflects students' understanding of harmful alcohol consumption.
• To identify a term that resonates with students and accurately describes drinking behaviors with negative outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of student perceptions regarding alcohol consumption.
• Comparative analysis of the term "binge drinking" versus student-defined problematic drinking behaviors.
• Exploration of student-attributed meanings and connotations associated with different drinking terms.

Main Results:

• Students do not define problematic drinking solely by quantity, but by its outcomes and frequency.
• The term "binge drinking" carries different negative connotations for students than intended by researchers.
• Students' understanding of problematic drinking is more closely aligned with the consequences of their actions.

Conclusions:

• The term "binge drinking" may not be an effective or accurate descriptor of problematic alcohol use among students.
• Adoption of student-centric terminology, such as "dangerous drinking," can improve communication and understanding of harmful alcohol behaviors.
• Utilizing shared meaning in terminology is crucial for effective intervention and research in student alcohol consumption patterns.