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Measuring college students' motives for playing drinking games
Thomas J Johnson1, Virgil L Sheets
1Department of Psychology and Center for the Study of Health, Religion, & Spirituality, Indiana State University, Terre Haute 47809, USA. pytjohn@isugw.indstate.edu
Summary
College students play drinking games for fun and competition, not just alcohol. Specific motives influence game outcomes, with conformity acting as a protective factor against negative consequences.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Drinking games are prevalent among college students.
- Motivations for playing drinking games extend beyond alcohol consumption, including social and competitive factors.
- Understanding these diverse motives is crucial for addressing associated risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and analyze the various motives college students have for playing drinking games.
- To examine the relationship between these motives and the consequences experienced.
- To investigate gender differences in motives and consequences.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 120 men and 167 women college students completed questionnaires.
- Motives for playing drinking games were assessed using established measures.
- Consequences of playing drinking games were also measured.
- Exploratory principal-components analysis identified key motivational factors.
Main Results:
- Eight distinct reasons for playing drinking games were identified.
- Significant gender differences were found in the endorsement of these motives.
- Motives for play directly predicted consequences, independent of alcohol intake.
- Specific motives were linked to specific types of consequences.
- Conformity motives showed a negative association with negative consequences.
Conclusions:
- College students' engagement in drinking games is driven by a complex interplay of motives beyond alcohol.
- Understanding specific motives can help predict and mitigate negative consequences.
- Conformity may serve as a protective factor, reducing adverse outcomes associated with drinking games.