Campus Location
Abilene Campus (Residential)
Date of Award
Spring 5-2018
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Social Work
Degree Name
Master of Science
Committee Chair or Primary Advisor
Dr. Thomas L. Winter
Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor
Dr. Kyeonghee Jang
Third Committee Member or Committee Reader
Steve Rowlands, MMFT, LMFT, LPC
Abstract
As the misuse of alcohol among college students remains a public health concern in the United States, students are participating in problematic drinking for various reasons. Loneliness and stress have both been associated with the reasoning behind why some college students participate in heavy drinking. Studies show that students who perceive themselves as under a lot of stress tend to drink more and that students who feel they need to overcome structural and emotional barriers such as loneliness and shyness, use alcohol as a resource. This paper examines the relationship between alcohol consumption, loneliness, and stress. Sixteen students, who attended Abilene Christian University and participated in the Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS), completed three scales to assess their alcohol use, perceived loneliness, and perceived stress. Results indicated that loneliness was not significantly associated with binge drinking, that stress was not significantly associated with binge drinking, and that males did not consume more alcohol, experience more loneliness or more stress than females. Although statistical significance was not found, it was determined that clinical significance was present.
Recommended Citation
Baber, I'Esha, "The Relationship Between Loneliness, Stress, and Alcohol Consumption Among College Students" (2018). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 79.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/79