Date of Award

May 2014

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Carol Haertlein Sells

Committee Members

Virginia Stoffel, Ron A. Cisler

Keywords

College Drinking, Epidemiology, Health Behavior, Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process, Prevention

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the relative influence of predictor variables on excessive alcohol consumption among college students for providing effective prevention and intervention. Also, this study suggests the roles of occupational therapy in Health promotion and Well-being. METHOD: The data from 7,166 college students (3,176 males, 3,990 females) aged between 18 - 25 years from the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) conducted by the US Department of Health and Human Services was used. Two criterion variables, binge drinking and heavy drinking, were used as indicators of excessive alcohol consumption. There were 12 predictor variables within four Context and Environment classifications as described by the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF): Domain and Process (AOTA, 2008a). Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate associations between excessive alcohol consumption and predictor variables, adjusting for other predictor variables. Hierarchical Regression was conducted stepwise in four Context and Environment classifications. RESULTS: Perceived risk of excessive drinking and importance of religious beliefs were strong negative predictors of excessive alcohol consumption. The Cultural classification provided the largest influence on excessive alcohol consumption in both males and females. The second largest classifications influencing binge drinking differed based upon gender. Personal classification was the second largest one for males, while Temporal classification was the second largest one for females. Occupational therapy can play significant roles in Health promotion and Well-being by helping people to actively engage in their meaningful occupations. CONCLUSION: Cultural factors among college students should be managed to prevent excessive alcohol consumption among them. Occupational therapists can provide prevention programs by using knowledge on the OTPF: Domain and Process.

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