Peer Influence Processes Involved in Binge Drinking Among First Year College Students (2009)

Undergraduate: Adam Miller

Faculty Advisor: Mitch Prinstein
Department: Psychology & Neuroscience

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Previous research has demonstrated that heavy alcohol use is related to many unfavorable outcomes (e.g. Duncan, Alpert, Duncan, & Hops, 1997). The present study examined two different processes of peer influence, selection effects and socialization effects, as it relates to binge drinking. Participants included 196 first year students (72.9% female; 80.6% Caucasian) from a large Southeastern public university who reported on their binge drinking behaviors at two time points (the summer before their first semester and three months into the semester). Participants listed a best friend whose behaviors were linked to the target in order to examine selection and socialization effects. Findings offer some support for selection effects at the transition to college as well as support for socialization effects at the three month follow-up. Implications regarding prevention strategies and future research are discussed.