Examines "alcohol myopia" (an increased use of alcohol in the face of increased negative consequences of use) in freshman college women with or without sorority pledge status. Increased alcohol use and alcohol myopia were present in the sorority pledge group. Both groups showed anomalous myopic behavior as alcohol use increased. (RJM)

Examined relationship between alcohol expectancies and drinking behavior among Irish- (n=15), Italian- (n=15), and Hispanic- (n=15) American female college students. Found that, although relationship existed between drinking outcome expectancies and ethnic drinking behavior, its degree and precise nature varied by group. Different expectancy…

Investigated alcohol use among NCAA Division I female college athletes, noting their exposure to alcohol- or drug-education programs. Interviews and mailed surveys indicated that most students had received some type of alcohol education during college, but it had little impact on their alcohol use, particularly out of season. Most students used…

Profiles two women over an eight-month study who abused alcohol and other drugs while pregnant and describes their recovery from the addiction. Examines, from an ecological framework, the women's experiences with drug addiction, treatment, and recovery, and recounts their situation through each. (JPS)

Examines the relationship between level of alcohol consumption and self-esteem for college males and females. Study of 130 males and 130 females at a major state university indicates that this relationship was moderated by gender, with females at greater risk for low self-esteem associated with heavy alcohol consumption. (RJM)

The relationship of parental alcoholism to eating disorder symptomology and substance abuse in a nonclinical sample of college women was examined. In addition, differences among adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) related to level of distress concerning parental alcohol use was examined. Results add additional evidence to the notion that not all…

Investigated alcohol and drug use by African-American female college basketball players. Surveys indicated that three-quarters of the women consumed alcohol. Nearly half had engaged in binge drinking. Very few reported using weight-loss or tobacco products. There were no reports of amphetamine or anabolic steroid use. Respondents appeared aware of…

This study examined whether female undergraduate students who share with male undergraduates similar demographics, perceptions, and alcohol use locations, also share similar alcohol usage patterns, negative consequences, and predictors for both. Secondary analysis was conducted using 1992 and 1993 U.S. Department of Education Core Survey data…

Investigated gender differences in the motivation for alcohol use in a sample of 240 Nigerian undergraduates, ranging in age from 17-24 years. Males were more likely to drink for psychological and social reasons than females. Females, however, were more likely than males to drink only at parties. (RJM)

Women's drinking patterns continue to change in society and on campus. Recent studies have indicated that heavy drinking has more than doubled among female college students in the last decade. The number of female drinkers closely resembles the number of male drinkers during the college years. Women who drink heavily face special social and…

Compared heavy and light-moderate drinking female college students along personality dimensions. Although no differences were found in social desirabiliy or locus of control, heavy drinkers possessed greater fear of failure and greater sensation seeking than did light-moderate drinkers. Results have implications for causes of problem drinking…

A study of first-year University of Alabama students found over three-quarters were drinkers, drinking patterns varied substantially, and many of the drinkers had experienced a number of alcohol-related problems. Social characteristics such as gender, ethnicity, family religion, current religion, church attendance, and grades correlated with…

Little attention has been paid to college women's drinking. For women, drinking is often a way of making friends and establishing intimate relationships. Peer influence is a strong persuader. College women who are careless in using alcohol may encounter additional problems like increased stress, depression, and sexual dysfunction. (SM)

This study compared how alcohol effect expectancies and reaction expectancies related to one another and to male and female college students' drinking behavior. Analyses indicated that different types and patterns of expectancies were gender specific. Discusses results in terms of the nature of gender/expectancy/drinking relationships. (RJM)

Alcohol plays a role for women in seeming to facilitate friendships and self-medicating when relationships are poor. Theories about women's psychological development can be applied to designing prevention programs. The article describes an interactive college program that seeks to engage the audience emotionally and stresses peer participation…