Year

2010

Season

Summer

Paper Type

Doctoral Dissertation

College

College of Education and Human Services

Degree Name

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EdD)

Department

Education

First Advisor

Dr. Marcia Lamkin

Second Advisor

Dr. Christopher Janson

Third Advisor

Dr. Sharon Wilburn

Fourth Advisor

Dr. Jennifer Kane

Department Chair

Dr. E. Newton Jackson, Jr.

College Dean

Dr. Larry G. Daniel

Abstract

An identified gap in the literature associated with college student alcohol use is the exploration of the problem based on ethnicity, specifically possible differences in use between Black and White college students. The purpose of the present study was to examine differences in alcohol use for Black and White college students at a small private university in the southeast United States. The study was conducted using the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey Long Form, which is designed to collect data related to self reported use of alcohol and perceptions of alcohol use among college students. A quantitative methodology was employed by using the statistical analyses one way analysis of variance, difference in proportions, confidence intervals, and multiple regression analysis. The data revealed significant differences by ethnicity exist between Black and White college students when exploring data associated with drinking during the 30 days prior to taking the survey and consuming five or more drinks in a sitting during the two weeks prior to taking the survey. The motivational factors associated with alcohol consumption did not reveal differences based on ethnicity, and the perception of alcohol use at the research site did not differ by ethnicity. The multiple regression analysis revealed that a combination of factors can be used to predict alcohol use, and the strongest predictor identified was the level of leadership in a social fraternity or sorority. The results provided a great deal of insight into the culture of alcohol use at the research site, and the results may assist personnel in the development of a prevention and educational plan to address the problem on campus.

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