This project study addressed the problem of alcohol and binge drinking at a local rural college campus in the Northeast United States and the lack of an effective long-term academic intervention program to address the problem. The purpose of this research study was to determine the prevalence of the problem of the alcohol abuse problem and to develop a long-term program that would respond to the problem of repeat alcohol offenders. Guided by Mezirow’s transformative learning theory, which holds that transformational learning causes changes in a learner that significantly shift the pattern of a learner’s future experiences, this study examined the awareness by participants of the prevalence of alcohol abuse on the college campus and explored alcohol intervention programs. A qualitative, instrumental case study research design was used and involved interviews with 6 key professional stakeholders and 5 students. Interview transcripts were color coded and thematically analyzed. The themes that developed from the interviews revealed discrepant perspectives regarding the prevalence of the problem, and the discovery that no long-term intervention is available to students who are repeat offenders. The analysis of the data revealed the need for an increased awareness of the problem, as well as the development of a long-term program that contained an academic curriculum that addressed the problem of alcohol abuse and binge drinking for the repeat offender. This project study has the potential to revise to alcohol abuse programs and may spawn an awareness of the problem of heavy alcohol consumption. Student participation in the long-term program may offer greater student academic success and the avoidance of academic expulsion, thereby creating an important social change for those students who are repeat alcohol offenders.

Binge drinking as one of the alcohol consumption patterns, affects the quality of life of the drinker, significant others and the society in general. It contributes to negative social, economic and health effects on social support networks. This sub-study of the five year trans-disciplinary Alcohol study analysed the existing quantitative data of the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study. The broad aim of the Alcohol study is to gain a better understanding of the alcohol consumption patterns and the causes and consequences of binge drinking amongst South African. The overarching aim of this sub-study was to identify the socioeconomic effects of binge drinking on support networks with a view to contributing to a development of a relevant, integrated and coherent strategy to address alcohol abuse and misuse in the selected areas of the study. The study adopted a mixed methods approach by combining the qualitative and quantitative paradigms to understand the phenomenon of binge drinking and its effects on support networks more adequately. A literature study was undertaken to firstly understand the broader context of the social aspects of alcohol abuse in South Africa, and secondly, to understand social support, social support networks and social network analysis in relation to binge drinking from a conceptual and theoretical framework. Unpacking of the concepts social support, social support networks and social network analysis provided a base to argue that social support networks are affected by binge drinking because the drinker and networks such as family and service providers are interrelated and interdependent. Relevant theoretical frameworks that support this view that person and environment are related and cannot be separated because one affects the other as well, were used to substantiate the argument. Binge drinking was further cross tabulated with other relevant variables to further understand the alcohol consumption patterns. The profile of social problems from the PURE data provided a picture of the challenges in the demarcated areas. As such poverty, low educational level and income were used as markers of socio-economic position. Having identified binge drinking as one pattern of alcohol consumption used in the communities, the study further identified the socio-economic effects experienced by support networks through semi-structured interviews with a schedule and focus groups. The family members and service providers as key informants were identified as support networks. The identified family support network representatives were children, spouse, parents and a sibling and they explained their experiences with a binge drinker. Specific themes of social support were used to describe their experiences of support. These themes are: types of support provided; recipient perception, reciprocal support and behaviour of the provider. The results indicated that support networks are negatively affected by binge drinking because social support is not provided as expected. Performance of roles is compromised and binge drinkers socially constructed views of being justified to abuse of alcohol in that they themselves were exposed to the same situation as children, thus the children are expected to accept their drinking and the socio-economic situation. The community support networks were interviewed to obtain information on the alcohol abuse and socio-economic conditions in the selected communities and to identify the intervention strategies employed to combat the alcohol abuse problems. Suggestions to enhance intervention strategies are proposed focusing on assessment of risk and risk environment, targeted interventions, multi-level synergistic intervention and multi-disciplinary roles and partnerships. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Binge drinking as one of the alcohol consumption patterns, affects the quality of life of the drinker, significant others and the society in general. It contributes to negative social, economic and health effects on social support networks. This sub-study of the five year trans-disciplinary Alcohol study analysed the existing quantitative data of the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study. The broad aim of the Alcohol study is to gain a better understanding of the alcohol consumption patterns and the causes and consequences of binge drinking amongst South African. The overarching aim of this sub-study was to identify the socioeconomic effects of binge drinking on support networks with a view to contributing to a development of a relevant, integrated and coherent strategy to address alcohol abuse and misuse in the selected areas of the study. The study adopted a mixed methods approach by combining the qualitative and quantitative paradigms to understand the phenomenon of binge drinking and its effects on support networks more adequately. A literature study was undertaken to firstly understand the broader context of the social aspects of alcohol abuse in South Africa, and secondly, to understand social support, social support networks and social network analysis in relation to binge drinking from a conceptual and theoretical framework. Unpacking of the concepts social support, social support networks and social network analysis provided a base to argue that social support networks are affected by binge drinking because the drinker and networks such as family and service providers are interrelated and interdependent. Relevant theoretical frameworks that support this view that person and environment are related and cannot be separated because one affects the other as well, were used to substantiate the argument. Binge drinking was further cross tabulated with other relevant variables to further understand the alcohol consumption patterns. The profile of social problems from the PURE data provided a picture of the challenges in the demarcated areas. As such poverty, low educational level and income were used as markers of socio-economic position. Having identified binge drinking as one pattern of alcohol consumption used in the communities, the study further identified the socio-economic effects experienced by support networks through semi-structured interviews with a schedule and focus groups. The family members and service providers as key informants were identified as support networks. The identified family support network representatives were children, spouse, parents and a sibling and they explained their experiences with a binge drinker. Specific themes of social support were used to describe their experiences of support. These themes are: types of support provided; recipient perception, reciprocal support and behaviour of the provider. The results indicated that support networks are negatively affected by binge drinking because social support is not provided as expected. Performance of roles is compromised and binge drinkers socially constructed views of being justified to abuse of alcohol in that they themselves were exposed to the same situation as children, thus the children are expected to accept their drinking and the socio-economic situation. The community support networks were interviewed to obtain information on the alcohol abuse and socio-economic conditions in the selected communities and to identify the intervention strategies employed to combat the alcohol abuse problems. Suggestions to enhance intervention strategies are proposed focusing on assessment of risk and risk environment, targeted interventions, multi-level synergistic intervention and multi-disciplinary roles and partnerships. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Duquesne University, 2008. / Title from document title page. Abstract included in electronic submission form. Includes bibliographical references (p.114-130) and index.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Texas at El Paso, 2008. / Title from title screen. Vita. CD-ROM. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 47-06, page: 3545. Advisers: John R. Herbold; David Gimeno. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Waikato, 2010. / Title from PDF cover (viewed July 30, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 293-326)

A associação entre consumo de bebidas alcoólicas e a incidência de hipertensão pode ser dependente do padrão de consumo e raça. Em um estudo de coorte de base populacional, foram entrevistados no domicílio 1089 adultos, selecionados ao acaso. A pressão arterial e medidas antropométricas foram aferidas de acordo com recomendações padronizadas. A quantidade de álcool consumida foi avaliada por um questionário de quantidade-freqüência. Binge drinking foi definido pelo consumo de 5 ou mais drinques em uma ocasião para homens ou 4 drinques para mulheres, e abuso de álcool, por consumo de 30 ou mais gramas por dia em homens ou 15 g ou mais em mulheres. Os entrevistadores classificaram a cor da pele dos participantes em brancos e não-brancos. Casos incidentes de hipertensão foram caracterizados por PA ≥ 140/90 mmHg ou uso de medicamento anti-hipertensivo. A razão de risco (RR) para incidência de hipertensão arterial foi computada em modelo de Cox. Entre os 589 indivíduos normotensos na entrevista basal, foram identificados 127 casos incidentes de hipertensão, após um seguimento de 5,6 ± 1,1 anos. Não houve associação de binge drinking e dependência de álcool (CAGE) com a incidência de hipertensão. A RR ajustada (idade, educação) para a incidência de hipertensão (IC 95% ) foi significativa apenas para indivíduos não-brancos que consumiam 30 g ou mais de etanol por dia: 7,3 (1,4 - 39,3). A pressão arterial sistólica aumentou entre os abusadores não brancos 16,1 ± 3,5 mmHg, em comparação com 4,9 ± 1,5 mmHg entre os abusadores brancos (P= 0,004). Indivíduos com ancestrais africanos que consumisam grandes quantidades de álcool apresentaram maior risco de desenvolverem hipertensão arterial. Este risco não foi explicado por binge drinking ou dependência de álcool. / The association between alcoholic beverage consumption and incidence of hypertension may be dependent of the pattern of consumption and race. In a population-based cohort study, 1089 adults, interviewed at home, had BP and anthropometric measurements carried out according to standardized recommendations. Alcohol consumption was ascertained by an amount-frequency questionnaire. Binge drinking was defined by consumption of 5 or more drinks in one occasion for male or 4 drinks for women, and abuse of alcohol by consumption of 30 or more grams per day in men or 15 g or more in women. Interviewers classified the skin color of participants in white and non-white. Incident cases of hypertension were characterized by BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg or use of hypertension medication. Hazard ratios (HR) were computed in a Cox model. Among 589 normotensive individuals in the baseline visit, 127 incident cases of hypertension were identified, after a follow up of 5.6 ± 1.1 years. Binge drinking and alcohol dependency (CAGE) were not associated with the incidence of hypertension. Adjusted (age, education) HR for the incidence of hypertension (95% CI) was significant only for non-white individuals who consumed 30 g or more of ethanol per day: 7.3 (1.4 to 39.3). Systolic blood pressure of black abusers increased 16.1 ± 3.5, in comparison with 4.9 ± 1.5 mmHg among white abusers (P = 0.004). Individuals with an African ancestry, who consumed larger amounts of ethanol, were at higher risk of developing hypertension. This risk was not explained by binge drinking or addiction to alcohol.

A associação entre consumo de bebidas alcoólicas e a incidência de hipertensão pode ser dependente do padrão de consumo e raça. Em um estudo de coorte de base populacional, foram entrevistados no domicílio 1089 adultos, selecionados ao acaso. A pressão arterial e medidas antropométricas foram aferidas de acordo com recomendações padronizadas. A quantidade de álcool consumida foi avaliada por um questionário de quantidade-freqüência. Binge drinking foi definido pelo consumo de 5 ou mais drinques em uma ocasião para homens ou 4 drinques para mulheres, e abuso de álcool, por consumo de 30 ou mais gramas por dia em homens ou 15 g ou mais em mulheres. Os entrevistadores classificaram a cor da pele dos participantes em brancos e não-brancos. Casos incidentes de hipertensão foram caracterizados por PA ≥ 140/90 mmHg ou uso de medicamento anti-hipertensivo. A razão de risco (RR) para incidência de hipertensão arterial foi computada em modelo de Cox. Entre os 589 indivíduos normotensos na entrevista basal, foram identificados 127 casos incidentes de hipertensão, após um seguimento de 5,6 ± 1,1 anos. Não houve associação de binge drinking e dependência de álcool (CAGE) com a incidência de hipertensão. A RR ajustada (idade, educação) para a incidência de hipertensão (IC 95% ) foi significativa apenas para indivíduos não-brancos que consumiam 30 g ou mais de etanol por dia: 7,3 (1,4 - 39,3). A pressão arterial sistólica aumentou entre os abusadores não brancos 16,1 ± 3,5 mmHg, em comparação com 4,9 ± 1,5 mmHg entre os abusadores brancos (P= 0,004). Indivíduos com ancestrais africanos que consumisam grandes quantidades de álcool apresentaram maior risco de desenvolverem hipertensão arterial. Este risco não foi explicado por binge drinking ou dependência de álcool. / The association between alcoholic beverage consumption and incidence of hypertension may be dependent of the pattern of consumption and race. In a population-based cohort study, 1089 adults, interviewed at home, had BP and anthropometric measurements carried out according to standardized recommendations. Alcohol consumption was ascertained by an amount-frequency questionnaire. Binge drinking was defined by consumption of 5 or more drinks in one occasion for male or 4 drinks for women, and abuse of alcohol by consumption of 30 or more grams per day in men or 15 g or more in women. Interviewers classified the skin color of participants in white and non-white. Incident cases of hypertension were characterized by BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg or use of hypertension medication. Hazard ratios (HR) were computed in a Cox model. Among 589 normotensive individuals in the baseline visit, 127 incident cases of hypertension were identified, after a follow up of 5.6 ± 1.1 years. Binge drinking and alcohol dependency (CAGE) were not associated with the incidence of hypertension. Adjusted (age, education) HR for the incidence of hypertension (95% CI) was significant only for non-white individuals who consumed 30 g or more of ethanol per day: 7.3 (1.4 to 39.3). Systolic blood pressure of black abusers increased 16.1 ± 3.5, in comparison with 4.9 ± 1.5 mmHg among white abusers (P = 0.004). Individuals with an African ancestry, who consumed larger amounts of ethanol, were at higher risk of developing hypertension. This risk was not explained by binge drinking or addiction to alcohol.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:29:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-01-30Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:17:55Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 floripes_tmf_me_botfm.pdf: 693987 bytes, checksum: 0b203b5828e50ddc09b212349b2aa090 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Beber se embriagando, beber pesado episódico ou “binge drinking” é definido como o consumo de 5 ou mais doses de bebidas em uma ocasião, sendo comum entre os jovens. Este padrão de consumo é freqüente e preocupante, uma vez que se associa a graves conseqüências negativas. Objetivo: avaliar todos os calouros de 2004 do Campus da Unesp de Botucatu que faziam “uso de risco” de álcool, comparando-os com um grupo sem risco, acompanhando-os em seus comportamentos e conseqüências com relação ao beber por 24 meses. Neste estudo de caso-controle foram entrevistados 457 calouros dos 533 matriculados em 2004 em qualquer dos 11 cursos oferecidos no campus. O uso de risco de álcool foi definido pelo escore do AUDIT maior ou igual a 8 e/ou RAPI maior ou igual a 7 nos últimos 12 meses. Foram identificados 139 alunos chamados de Grupo de Risco (GR), que foram pareados por sexo e curso com outros 139 estudantes, identificados como Grupo Sem Risco (GSR). O pareamento foi realizado através de sorteio aleatório. A amostra total na linha de base foi de 278 alunos. Foi realizado seguimento de 12 e 24 meses. Houve uma tendência significativa à diminuição do uso de bebidas no GR, bem como diminuição de conseqüências negativas. No GSR houve leve aumento no consumo de álcool, mas não das conseqüências negativas ao longo do tempo. No entanto, ambos permaneceram no mesmo padrão da linha de base, ou seja, de risco e sem risco. Os homens beberam mais que mulheres e as alunas do GR sofreram mais quedas e fraturas comparadas aos alunos. O GR teve, ainda, pior desempenho escolar. Os principais fatores de risco para o padrão de uso de álcool do tipo “beber se embriagando” para os estudantes de ambos os sexos foram ter amigos que também tinham tal padrão e ter usado drogas ilegais nos últimos 12 meses. Para as mulheres, foi fator de proteção morar sozinha. / Episodic heavy drinking or binge drinking is defined as the consumption of 5 or more drinks in one occasion, and it is common among young people. This pattern of consumption is frequent and worrying as it is associated with serious negative consequences. Objective: evaluating all 2004 freshmen from the Unesp Campus of Botucatu which were risky users comparing them with a matched non-risky group on their behavior, consequences relative to drink in a 24 months follow-up. Methods: in this casecontrol study about 457 freshmen of the 533 enrolled were interviewed in all the 11 courses offered in the campus. The risky use of alcohol was defined by an AUDIT score greater than or equal to 8 and / or RAPI greater than or equal to 7 in the last 12 months. A hundred thirty nine students were identified and called Risky Group (GR) and matched by sex and course with other 139 students nonrisky alcohol use identified as Non-risky Group (GSR). The matching was carried through random drawing. The total sample at the baseline was 278 students. Persuing of 12 and 24 months was carried through. Results: The reduction of the drink use had a significant trend in the GR, as well as the reduction of negative consequences. In the GSR, there was increase of the alcohol consumption, but not of the negative consequences throughout the time. However, both had remained the same in standard of base line, that is, of risk or without risk. Men drank more than the women and girls of GR suffered more falls and fractures compared to men. The GR had, still, worse school performance. The main risk factors for “binge drinking for students of both sexes were to have friends who had such standard and to have used illegal drugs in the last 12 months. For women, to live alone was a protection factor. Conclusions: Although without intervention, the students had tended to diminish the alcohol use over the time, but the comsuption of alcohol remained at levels of concern and risk.