IMRaD Introduction and Methods

  Format got messed up when I transferred from Word.

  

  

  

  

  

  

 Does Alcohol Influence College Relationships? 

Ellie J. McDermott 

University of Iowa 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 Introduction  

The impact alcohol has on college students' relationships has increased substantially within the past few decades. “Over 80% of college students have at least one alcoholic drink over a two-week time period and 40% are binge drinking at parties” (Palmeri). Researchers have found that most college students report they drink because it is the “culture” they are immersed in. In a recent study from the National Institute on Alcohol Use and Alcoholism, it was estimated that “65% of college students drink alcohol in a given month. Along with 44% of students between the ages of 18-22 consume five or more drinks in one night” (Rini). While students attend college to receive an education, they find themselves balancing their academic studies and their social life. Students tend to focus a great deal of time on making lifetime friendships and memories and become engrossed in college life. With the norm of this college culture, researchers looked into how alcohol had an effect on the quality of relationships due to peer pressure and dating issues that occur when alcohol is present. College age students form the majority of their romantic relationships and friendships in public settings where alcohol seems to be present. Whether it is at a local bar, tailgate for a sporting event, fraternity party, or other social events, alcohol is constantly present. Alcohol is affecting relationships in college because of the peer pressure of drinking in order to be accepted and fit in.  

With this college culture in mind, researchers investigated how alcohol influenced the quality of relationships due to peer pressure and dating issues when alcohol was present. When researchers looked at how alcohol affects the quality of college relationships, they found what is known as the “window of vulnerability.” This window is seen mostly with the freshman as they are trying to establish friendships, romantic relationships, and peer connections in their first year of college. Since alcohol is a major part of college life, peer pressure can quickly affect the decision-making of a student. “Peer relationships are consistently linked to alcohol use in college students” (Borsari). Since many students are drinking, it feels as if the norm is to drink or not fit in. Since the party scene has become the new normal students are starting to view it in a new light.  “College students are viewing alcohol use as a positive and socially acceptable experience” (Palmeri). Quality of college friendships, romantic relationships, and peer connections are directly related to peer pressure and influence of alcohol.  

When looking at the effect alcohol has on a romantic relationship in college, alcohol tends to cause people to do things they might not normally do. Those in a relationship want to keep the other person happy and change their behavior and values. “...greater relationship quality may be more willing to sacrifice or make changes to fit the needs of their partner, thus furthering their motivation to alter behavioral patterns, such as problematic alcohol use” (Khaddouma). Fighting, cheating, along with other negative consequences eventually take their toll. Additionally, research shows that “...due to the higher likelihood for heavy alcohol use and negative consequences among college students relative to non-student populations, it is likely that heavy alcohol use impacts the relationship functioning of individuals involved in a romantic relationship during college” (Khaddouma). The emotional, physical, and psychological impact of drinking challenges college students even more and are potential warning signs if the relationship is sustained beyond college.   

Despite the studies done about how alcohol affects college friendships and romantic relationships, most studies group all college students together. They assume the constant drinking and negative consequences that come from it apply to everyone. By grouping all college students together, it is easy to articulate the gap. Since the University of Iowa has been named a top partying school for over a decade, how is alcohol affecting University of Iowa students' relationships? Is alcohol creating a positive effect on relationships or a detrimental one? To answer these questions various University of Iowa students took a survey with questions related to drinking and their personal relationships. This survey will provide information to fill the gap in the research. 

Methods 

Participants 

The participants in this survey included 32 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa. Both men and women who took the survey ranged from 18-20 years old. These 32 people all came from different backgrounds and have a variety of friendships, romantic relationships, and peer connections.  

Procedure 

The 32 college students participating were asked to take an online survey. This survey asked seven questions, allowing the students to choose from four options: strongly agree, agree, disagree, and strongly disagree. Along with one question asking how often they consume alcohol in a week. In addition, the survey was anonymous, and the participants were asked to be honest about their responses.  

Data Analysis 

After data was collected it was separated into three categories: peer pressure to drink, dating problems, and personal desire to consume alcohol. By separating these questions into categories, it allows percentages to be created. These percentages created visual representation such as pie charts.