Athletic identity, descriptive norms, and drinking among athletes transitioning to college

• Published in: Addictive behaviors Vol. 34; no. 4; pp. 352 - 359
• Main Authors: Grossbard, Joel R, Geisner, Irene M, Mastroleo, Nadine R, Kilmer, Jason R, Turrisi, Rob, Larimer, Mary E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2009; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Alcohol Drinking - prevention & control; Alcohol Drinking - psychology; Alcohol use; Alcohol-Related Disorders - prevention & control; Alcohol-Related Disorders - psychology; Alcoholism; Athlete identity; Athletes; College students; Drinking-related consequences; Female; Humans; Identity; Life Change Events; Male; Perceived norms; Psychiatry; Self Concept; Social Environment; Sports - psychology; Students - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Universities; Athlete identity; College students; Athletes; Drinking-related consequences; Perceived norms; Alcohol use
• ISSN: 0306-4603; 1873-6327
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2008.11.011

Abstract College student–athletes are at risk for heavy alcohol consumption and related consequences. The present study evaluated the influence of college student and college athlete descriptive norms and levels of athletic identity on drinking and related consequences among incoming college students attending two universities ( N = 1119). Prior to the beginning of their first year of college, students indicating high school athletic participation completed assessments of athletic identity, alcohol consumption, drinking-related consequences, and normative perceptions of alcohol use. Estimations of drinking by college students and student–athletes were significantly greater than self-reported drinking. Athletic identity moderated associations among gender, perceived norms, drinking, and related consequences. Athlete-specific norms had a stronger effect on drinking among those reporting higher levels of athletic identity, and higher levels of athletic identity exclusively protected males from experiencing drinking-related consequences. Implications of the role of athletic identity in the development of social norms interventions targeted at high school athletes transitioning to college are discussed.