Transitions into and out of intercollegiate athletic involvement and risky drinking

Associations Between Alcohol and Cannabis Use and Pain Among College Student-Athletes

Background: Pain motivates alcohol and cannabis use, with evidence that pain catastrophizing (i.e., ruminative exaggeration of pain) mediates these associations. Student-athletes represent a unique population who engage in riskier substance use, experience more substance-related consequences, and are more likely to develop chronic pain compared to non-athletes. Objectives: This study examined relationships between pain, catastrophizing, alcohol and cannabis use and consequences. Student-athletes from two Division I universities (N = 549; 51% female) completed a cross-sectional survey. Moderated mediation tested the conditional indirect effect of pain catastrophizing on associations between pain and alcohol- and cannabis- use and consequences, separately, with sex moderating the a and b paths. Results: There was a significant direct effect between pain and alcohol-related consequences (b = 0.11, p = .008). Pain and pain catastrophizing were positively associated in all four models (bs = 0.68-0.72, ps <.001), and this relationship was stronger among female than male athletes. No other direct or conditional indirect effects were observed. Conclusions: Student-athletes experiencing pain report more alcohol-related consequences, and pain catastrophizing may be particularly relevant for student-athletes with greater pain. Future research should examine other factors proposed by theoretical models, such as negative affect, while focusing on athletes with more significant pain (e.g., injured athletes).

Family History and Alcohol Use Outcomes: Examining Transmission of Risk through Impulsivity and the Moderating Role of Organized Sports Participation

BACKGROUND

College students are at risk for alcohol misuse and those who participate in organized sports are at even higher risk. Family history of alcohol problems (FH) and impulsivity are well-documented risk factors for alcohol use outcomes, but no research has examined the role of organized sports participation in moderating these associations. This study examined the associations between FH, alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms, the role of UPPS-P (Urgency, Premeditation, Perseverance, Sensation Seeking, Positive Urgency impulsive behavior scale) impulsivity dimensions in mediating the association between FH and alcohol use outcomes, and whether these associations vary by students' organized sports participation.

METHOD

Participants (N = 3,959, 64.7% female, 51.8% White; Mean age = 18.48 years, SD = .40) were recruited from a large, public university and completed an online survey in the fall and spring semesters of their first year in college. Path analyses were conducted in Mplus.

RESULTS

FH was associated with higher levels of alcohol consumption and more AUD symptoms. Lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, and negative urgency partially mediated the associations between FH and alcohol consumption and AUD symptoms. The association between negative urgency and AUD symptoms was stronger for organized sports participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Impulsivity dimensions are risk factors for both alcohol consumption and AUD symptoms and serve as important pathways for the transmission of risk between generations. Prevention and intervention efforts aimed at reducing problematic alcohol use should target impulsivity generally, and particularly negative urgency among college students who participate in organized sports.

Examining Sex Differences in Associations between Pain and Alcohol Use among College Student-Athletes

Background: College student-athletes are a high-risk population for both pain and alcohol use. Although a growing literature indicates that pain motivates alcohol consumption, no studies have tested associations between pain and alcohol in college student-athletes. Methods and Results: Among National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I student-athletes at a large public university (N = 65; 48% Female), nearly all student-athletes (97%) reported alcohol use and 65% reported pain due to an athletic injury. Pain intensity was positively associated with greater motivation to reduce drinking prior to receiving a brief alcohol intervention. Among females, pain intensity was associated with lower self-reported alcohol consumption. Among male athletes, pain-related interference was associated with greater alcohol-related problems and lower perceived ability to deal with alcohol-related situations. Conclusion: Results provide initial evidence that pain may be important to consider when addressing alcohol use among student-athletes.

Tackling student drinking within the drinking subculture of a university sports competition: a culture change approach

Purpose

This paper explores the impact of a suite of alcohol culture change interventions implemented by Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia. The interventions were designed to change the alcohol culture at a bi-annual nation-wide university multi-sport competition known as Uni Nationals. This study aims to understand the critical success factors of the alcohol culture change initiatives that were developed by the university and implemented as part of a broader set of institutional practices.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research design utilised in-depth, semi-structured interviews with nine Uni Nationals student team leaders. In total, two group interviews and four individual interviews were conducted with student team leaders who participated in the Uni Nationals. The interview transcripts were coded and themed. The themes were further refined and interpreted into a narrative. A total of two transcripts were independently coded by the first two authors. Discordant coding was flagged and discussed until a consensus was achieved. The remaining interviews were coded by the first author and discussed with the second author to ensure consistency. A socio-ecological framework was used to understand perceived changes to alcohol culture.

Findings

Student leaders were aware of and felt supported by the university-wide approach to changing the culture of Uni Nationals. Overall, the qualitative study indicated that students were positive about the alcohol culture change interventions. The leadership training that engaged team leaders in interactive activities had the greatest impact. Student leaders found the targeted messages, mocktail events and Chef de Mission (CdM) less effective cultural change strategies. However, they helped to establish expectations of students in this setting where a heightened focus on sport was associated with higher alcohol consumption.

Originality/value

While there has been growing academic interest in exploring “drinking cultures”, there has been relatively little focus on alcohol culture of university students at sporting events. The paper contributes to addressing this gap by shedding light on the impact of a group of interventions on the drinking culture of the Uni Nationals subculture.

Mental Health Issues and Psychological Factors in Athletes: Detection, Management, Effect on Performance, and Prevention: American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Position Statement

The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine convened a panel of experts to provide an evidence-based, best practices document to assist sports medicine physicians and other members of the athletic care network with the detection, treatment, and prevention of mental health issues in competitive athletes. This statement discusses how members of the sports medicine team, including team physicians, athletic trainers, and mental health providers, work together in providing comprehensive psychological care to athletes. It specifically addresses psychological factors in athletes including personality issues and the psychological response to injury and illness. The statement also examines the athletic culture and environmental factors that commonly impact mental health, including sexuality and gender issues, hazing, bullying, sexual misconduct, and transition from sport. Specific mental health disorders in athletes, such as eating disorders/disordered eating, depression and suicide, anxiety and stress, overtraining, sleep disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, are reviewed with a focus on detection, management, the effect on performance, and prevention. This document uses the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) to grade level of evidence.

Under the face mask: Racial-ethnic minority student-athletes and mental health use

Objective: To investigate racial-ethnic minority student-athletes' (REMSA) symptoms of distress (mental health need), mental health use (usage rate), and factors that influence mental health usage. Participants: There were 241 varsity athletes (African American = 108, Latinos = 66, Asian American= 67) from the American College Health Association Fall 2015 data set. Results: Seventy-eight percent of REMSA reported some form of mental health need and only 11% of these athletes in need reported using mental health services in the past year. Additionally, a binominal logistic regression was run to identify demographic and mental health predictors of mental health use. Higher stress (β = 1.58, OR = 3.49, p < .01) and having upperclassman standing (β = 1.07, OR = 3.91, p < .05) predicted service use for athletes. Conclusions: Mental health professionals should be aware of the high mental health need for REMSA and the low usage rate of mental health services.

Association between sex, race/ethnicity, season, day of week, and alcohol use and related risks in college student athletes and nonathletes

Objective: To examine personal and social constructs (eg, sex, race) and external influences (ie, competition schedules) that are associated with the pattern and amount of alcohol consumption by student athletes compared to nonathletes. Participants: Students (n = 2,984; 57% female, 61% white, 16% athlete) on a single campus were surveyed in Fall 2011 and Spring 2012. Methods: Anonymous surveys included demographics, alcohol use, and related problems. Results: Student athletes consumed more alcohol than nonathletes, with male and white athletes posing the highest levels of risk for heavy consumption. Expanded examination of in- and out-of-season athletes found out-of-season athletes drink more frequently and more per occasion than their in-season peers. Athletes were more likely than nonathletes to drink on specific days of the week and daily patterns differed between in- and out-of-season athletes. Conclusions: The risk of athlete status is moderated by sex, race, season, and day of the week.

Longitudinal patterns of alcohol mixed with energy drink use among college students and their associations with risky drinking and problems

OBJECTIVE

The consumption of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmEDs) is a form of risky drinking among college students, a population already in danger of heavy drinking and associated consequences. The goals of the current longitudinal study were to (a) identify types of AmED users between the first and second year of college and (b) examine differences among these groups in rates of highrisk drinking and consequences over time.

METHOD

A random sample of college student drinkers (n = 1,710; 57.7% female) completed baseline and 6-month follow-up measures assessing alcohol-related behaviors.

RESULTS

AmED use was endorsed by 40% of participants during the course of the study. As anticipated, four distinct groups of AmED users were identified (nonusers, initiators, discontinuers, and continuous users) and were significantly different from one another on drinking and consequence outcomes. Further, significant Time × Group interaction effects were observed for drinking and overall consequences. Generally, across all outcomes and time points, nonusers reported the lowest rates of drinking and consequences, whereas continuous users consistently reported the highest rates of drinking and consequences. Students who initiated AmED use during the course of the study also reported anabrupt increase in alcohol use and reported consequences.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest students who consistently engage in and initiate AmED use also engage in riskier drinking behaviors and experience higher rates of consequences. Interventions that specifically target AmED use may be warranted and have the potential to reduce alcohol-related consequences.

Alcohol Consumption, Athlete Identity, and Happiness Among Student Sportspeople as a Function of Sport-Type

AIMS

To examine the differences in alcohol consumption and psychosocial antecedents between team and individual sportspeople via secondary data analysis.

METHODS

Questionnaires measured alcohol consumption, athlete identity and subjective happiness from a sample of UK university sportspeople (N = 1785; male = 1048, 58.7%), involved in team (77.9%) and individual sports.

RESULTS

Team sports players were more likely to be categorized as hazardous drinkers, and reported significantly greater rates of alcohol consumption, stronger athlete identity and higher levels of happiness than individual sports players. Athlete identity was a significant predictor for alcohol consumption, however there was no significant relationship found between happiness and consumption. Further regression analyses revealed interactions between sport-type and athlete identity on alcohol consumption. For individual sport players, as athlete identity increased alcohol consumption significantly reduced; however, there was a positive association between identity and consumption for team sport players.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings implicate the role of identity as an important factor to consider when addressing the issue of hazardous drinking among sportspeople.

Examining Drinking Patterns and High-Risk Drinking Environments Among College Athletes at Different Competition Levels

This study examined drinking patterns of three different college student groups: (a) intercollegiate athletes, (b) intramural/club athletes, and (c) nonathletes. Additionally, we investigated whether a relationship exists between drinking setting and risk of increased drinking. We analyzed data on the athletic involvement, drinking behaviors, and drinking settings of 16,745 undergraduate students. The findings revealed that drinking patterns for intramural/club athletes remained relatively consistent at all quantity levels; however, intercollegiate athletes consumed alcohol in higher quantities. Further, intramural/club athletes drank in almost every drinking setting, whereas intercollegiate athletes were more limited. The drinking patterns and settings suggest a stronger social motivation for drinking among intramural/club athletes than among intercollegiate athletes and point to a need to specify competition level when studying college athletes.

Alcohol use among college athletes: do intercollegiate, club, or intramural student athletes drink differently?

BACKGROUND

Varsity student athletes are a high-risk drinking group, exhibiting a greater propensity to binge drink than their non-sport peers. Moreover, as intercollegiate athletic involvement increases, so too does alcohol consumption. There is little research, however, which examines drinking behaviors of students who participate in nonvarsity athletics.

OBJECTIVES

Identify differences in alcohol-related behaviors and associated consequences among U.S. varsity, club, and intramural athletes, and nonathlete college students.

METHODS

Secondary data analysis of the 2011 National College Health Assessment (n = 29,939).

RESULTS

Intramural athletes binge drank more frequently (M = 1.1, SD = 1.7) than club athletes (M = 1.0, SD = 1.6), intercollegiate athletes (M = 0.9, SD = 1.5), and nonathletes (M = 0.6, SD = 1.3) and also experienced greater alcohol-related consequences. Intramural athletes consumed the most during their last drinking episode (M = 4.1, SD = 4.0) and reached the highest blood alcohol concentration (BAC) (M = 0.062, SD = 0.09).Compared to club and varsity athletes [M = 0.8, SD = 1.4; t (8,131) = -9.6, p < .001], intramural-only athletes reported binge drinking significantly more frequently (M = 1.2, SD = 1.7) and also reached significantly higher BACs during most recent drinking episode (M = 0.064, SD = 0.08) than organized sport athletes [M = 0.057, SD = 0.08; t (8,050) = -3.0, p = .003].

CONCLUSIONS

Intramural athletes represent a higher-risk drinking group than other athlete and nonathlete college students. Future research should investigate factors contributing to drinking differences among different athlete groups.