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Transitions in risk-behavior profiles among first-year college students
Katelyn F Romm1, Aaron Metzger2, Amy L Gentzler2
1Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
Journal of American College Health : J of ACH
|December 8, 2020
Summary
Most college students either reduced risk behaviors or abstained from them during their freshman year. A smaller group maintained or increased their engagement in risk behaviors over time.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- College transition involves significant life changes impacting student behaviors.
- Understanding patterns of risk behavior is crucial for student well-being.
- Previous research often uses variable-centered approaches, potentially missing nuanced individual trajectories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how first-year college students transition into and out of risk-behavior profiles.
- To utilize a longitudinal, person-centered approach (latent transition analysis) for this assessment.
- To identify distinct trajectories of risk behavior engagement throughout the freshman year.
Main Methods:
- Latent transition analysis (LTA) was employed to model behavioral changes.
- 579 first-year college students from a mid-Atlantic university participated.
- Surveys were administered at five time points during the academic year.
Main Results:
- The majority of students either abstained from risk behaviors or moved towards lower-risk profiles.
- A subset of students remained in the same risk profile throughout the year.
- Another segment of students transitioned into higher-risk behavior profiles.
Conclusions:
- Person-centered analyses are vital for understanding complex changes in multiple health-risk behaviors.
- Most students demonstrate a reduction or avoidance of risk behaviors during their first year.
- Interventions may be needed for students who transition into or maintain higher-risk profiles.
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