Assessing recognition of alcohol poisoning symptoms in college students turning 21: Implications for important next steps Melissa A. Lewis, Ph.D.

Transcription

1 Assessing recognition of alcohol poisoning symptoms in college students turning 21: Implications for important next steps Melissa A. Lewis, Ph.D. Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Center for the Study Health & Risk Behaviors University of Washington

2 Medical Amnesty Policies Eliminate or reduce judicial consequences for students involved in alcohol-related emergencies Research is limited Medical amnesty policies assume that students: 1. can identify symptoms of alcohol poisoning 2. understand the risk associated with alcohol poisoning 3.are currently not seeking help due to fear of getting in trouble Lewis & Marchell, 2006; Oster-Aaland & Eighmy, in press

3 Implications for Prevention Interventions - Friends Determining if, when, and how college students help individuals with alcohol poisoning may have important implications for prevention interventions.

4 Present Research This study sought to determine if students could identify and understand the risk associated with symptoms of alcohol poisoning. We expected that showing concern for and observing symptoms of alcohol poisoning would be associated with helping behavior.

5 Present Research An additional purpose of this research was to assess sources in which students seek help. Friends Parents RAs Police ER Finally, this study assessed why students might be reluctant to seek help. Not concerned Too drunk Don t know how to seek help Thought somebody else was helping Scared of getting in trouble

6 Method Students from an ongoing longitudinal intervention study N = 306 (50% male) Participants were 95.8% Caucasian, and 4.2% other Web-based assessment Students were asked to complete two 50 minute assessments during the week prior to their 21st birthday and after their 21 st birthday Paid $50 for participation at each assessment Current data include baseline responses prior to turning 21

7 Measures Typical Drinks per Week & Drinking Frequency Daily Drinking Questionnaire (Collins, Parks, Marlatt, 1988) Alcohol-Related Negative Consequences Young Adult Alcohol Problems Screening Test (Hurlbut and Sher, 1992) 0 (No, never) to 1 (Yes, at least once) scale (α =.87) Concern 1 (not at all concerned) to 4 (extremely concerned) scale (α =.86) Observations 0 (never) to 1 (1 or more times) scale (α =.80) Helping Behaviors 0 (never) to 1 (1 or more times) scale (α =.80) Sources of Help Reasons You have Never Helped 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree)

8 Results: Descriptive Information Variable Mean SD Drinks per Week Drinking Frequency Negative Consequences Concern Observe Helping Behavior Note. N = 306. Concern for symptoms of alcohol poisoning? YES Observe symptoms of alcohol poisoning? YES

9 Results: Helping Behavior Predictor B SE B β R 2 d Step 1 Sex Step 2 Drinks per Week ***.08 Drinking Frequency Negative Consequences ***.41 Step 3 Concern Step 4 Observe ***.18*** 1.09 Note. N = 306. *** p <.001. p <.10. Relate to helping behaviors? YES

10 Results: Sources of Help Source % Another Student 44% Parent 14% Hospital/Clinic/ER 9% Resident Advisor 3% Off-Campus Police 2% Campus Police <1% Note. N = 263. I may use the internet for signs or symptom help it has not been severe enough to need outside help, just watch them, help them and get some water or something like that. I once googled alcohol poisoning for the symptoms just to make sure my friend didn't have it

11 Results: Reasons Not to Seek Help Reason Mean SD No need to help, no risk Note. N = 43. I have not witnessed any of these problems therefore I have not helped!! Never was in a situation where my friend was really bad where I had to contact a hospital! My friends do not drink nor do I.. I have never been in a situation where the people who I was with were drunk enough to need help. They had only had a couple drinks

12 Results: Reasons Not to Seek Help Reason Mean SD Someone else was helping Was not sure what to do Others were not concerned Afraid friend would be in trouble Assumed someone else would help Others discouraged me from helping Afraid self would be in trouble Too busy, in a hurry Note. N = 43.

13 Implications Most students have helped another student with symptoms of alcohol poisoning, and demonstrate concern for these symptoms. By and large, students do not help because situations in which they perceive the need to help tend to be relatively rare. Heavier drinkers report being more likely to help largely because they are more likely to be in situations in which someone might need help.

14 Implications When students do help others Most likely to seek help from other students and parents Demonstrates the potential importance of incorporating students/friends/parents in prevention interventions, as well as making sure students/friends/parents are able to identify symptoms and how to intervene. Examine other sources of help Internet

15 This research was supported, in part, by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Grants U18AA015885, U01AA014742, T32AA07455.