Research & Resources

This study examined associations between cognitions (willingness to drink, descriptive norms, and injunctive norms) and situational factors (familiarity with people and locations) among adolescents and young adults playing drinking games (DGs). Further, the study tested the associations between playing DGs, the number of drinks consumed, and the negative consequences experienced. Multilevel models showed that risks (higher willingness, higher descriptive norms, and less familiarity with people) were associated with playing DGs. When examining the within-person associations between playing DGs and number of drinks, results showed that playing DGs was associated with consuming more drinks. Playing DGs was not uniquely predictive of experiencing more consequences or riding in a vehicle with a driver who had been drinking.

This paper, “Occasion-level investigation of playing drinking games: Associations with cognitions, situational factors, alcohol use, and negative consequences among adolescents and young adults,” was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and published in the journal Addictive behaviors.