Alcohol Binge Drinking in First-Generation College Students

First generation college students (FGCS), defined as undergraduates whose parents never enrolled in postsecondary education, account for a large proportion of students on college campuses. According to national estimates, FGCS make up approximately 36% of college freshman (U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2012). Studies comparing FGCS to their more traditional counterparts (i.e., continuing-generation college students, CGCS) revealed numerous differences in demographics, college preparation, college experience, and academic achievement between these two groups of students. FGCS compare to CGCS are more likely to be older, females, minorities, and come from low income families (e.g., Chen, 2005; Choy, 2001; Saenz et al., 2007). Further, they tend to be less prepared academically, financially and culturally to enter college (e.g., Chen, 2005; Rodriguez et al., 2003; Warburton et al., 2001), and are less likely to successfully integrate with a new college environment compared to their continuing-generation peers (e.g., Lohfink & Paulsen, 2005; Pascarella et al., 2004; Pike & Kuh, 2005). Once in college, FGCS tend to be less engaged in campus life, have fewer social contacts with other students (e.g., Dennis et al., 2005; Lundberg, et al., 2007) and their attrition rates are considerably higher even after controlling for differences in academic preparation (e.g., Chen, 2005; Choy, 2001; Ishitani, 2006; Warburton et al., 2001). Numerous studies have investigated FGCS college experience with a primary focus on academic achievement but without addressing another common aspect of student life on college campuses in the U.S., namely, hazardous alcohol drinking. Past research has shown that the transition to college is associated with a significant increase in alcohol consumption among young adults (e.g., Fromme et al., 2008; LaBrie et al., 2008; Schulenberg et al., 2001; Slutske, 2005). College-bound students tend to consume less alcohol during high school years but more than their non-college peers, after entering college (e.g., Johnston et al., 2013; Schulenberg & Maggs, 2002; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2014). More importantly, excessive drinking among college students has been linked to numerous negative academic outcomes as well as detrimental social and health consequences (e.g., DeBerard et al., 2004; Hustad et al., 2009; Park, 2004; Randolph et al., 2009; Sheffield et al., 2005). Although alcohol drinking on college campuses has been intensively studied, little is known about alcohol consumption among students who are the first in their families to attend college. It is well established that the risk of engaging in problem drinking on college campuses varies across racial/ethnic and gender groups. Non-Caucasian students are less likely to engage in heavy drinking compare to Caucasian college students (e.g. Ham & Hope, 2003; Lawrence et al., 2010; O'Malley & Johnston, 2002) and hazardous drinking is less common among females than males across all racial/ethnic groups (e.g., Borsari et al, 2007; Ham & Hope, 2003; O'Malley & Johnston, 2002). Therefore, our study sought to control contribution of these demographic factors while examining drinking behavior of FGCS. In addition, we have investigated the relationship between social support from peers on alcohol drinking. In the literature on college adjustment, peer social support is frequently discussed as a positive factor that has been shown to predict overall well-being (e.g., Solberg & Villareal, 1997; Wang & Castaneda-Sound, 2008), lower acculturation stress (e.g., Crockett et al., 2007) and more successful integration with a new environment (e.g., Dennis et al., 2005; Friedlander et al., 2007; Gerdes & Mallinckrodt, 1994). From this perspective, peer support, by improving overall well-being and reducing stress, may be expected to serve as a protective factor against excessive alcohol use, particularly for coping-motivated drinking. …