Sexual Assault & Alcohol Consumption in First- and Non-First-Generation College Students
Document Type
Research Presentation
Original Publication Date
2019
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Society for Social Work and Research
Date of Submission
March 2025
Abstract
Studies show the connection between experiences of sexual assault and increased alcohol consumption, but there is limited research about how sexual assault affects alcohol use in sub-populations, such as first-generation college students, who experience significant stress but often have limited resources devoted to meeting their needs. We hypothesize that: (1) college students who report experiencing recent sexual assault will report consuming more alcohol than students who do not report sexual assault; and (2) college-generation status will have a moderating effect on this relationship. Data were from a longitudinal study on substance use and behavioral health by students at a large, public university. We analyzed data collected in the spring of students’ third year when all study variables were available (N=2510). Approximately 3% of students reported experiencing a recent sexual assault, and 29% were first-generation college students. We ran a multivariate main effects model to test difference in ethanol consumed for students who had and had not experienced sexual assault, accounting for the effects of first generational status, gender, and residence. We then added the interaction effect to this model. The main effect of sexual assault was significant (B=-259.834, SE=101.699, p=0.008), indicating that mean alcohol use was significantly higher in students reporting sexual assault (M=466.92, SD=800.73) than in those reporting no sexual assault (M=271.23, SD=483.44). First-generation survivors (n=20) reported higher alcohol use (M=725.36, SD=286.48) than non-first-generation survivors (n=53; M=441.64, SD=96.25). However, generational status did not moderate the relationship. Understanding the nature of interrelationships among first-generation status, sexual assault, and alcohol consumption may help to inform how universities tailor services to meet the needs of all student populations. We expect that further studies with a diverse and expanded sample size are needed to evaluate the interrelationship between first-generation status and alcohol consumption more precisely.
Is Part Of
You First Student Success Research Center Impactful Works
Recommended Citation
Luce, Claire & Swan, Laura & Dick, Danielle & Chartier, Karen. (2019). Sexual Assault & Alcohol Consumption in First-and Non-First-Generation College Students.