Indiana U Studies Alcohol
Abuse in Students
Why young alcoholics seem insensitive to the negative consequences
of their behavior is the subject of a five-year research study
now under way at Indiana University Bloomington (IUB) that
includes a focus on college alcoholism.
Peter Finn, professor of psychology and director of the Biobehavioral
Alcohol Research Laboratory at IUB, is directing the research
supported by a grant of $1.3 million from the National Institute
on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The project started in May
2002 and involves 500 men and women ages 18 to 25 who have
alcohol abuse problems. Finn is interested in why people engage
in self-destructive behaviors, and he has more than 15 years
of alcohol research experience.
“The results of this study should provide valuable information
about the mechanisms that lead to early-onset alcohol problems
and also increase awareness of prevention and treatment efforts
for early-onset alcohol problems,” Finn said.
“We are looking at the mechanisms that may influence
problems in self-control and poor decision-making that we see
in young men and women with alcohol abuse problems,” he
explained. “Is it because they don’t see the long-term
effects or negative consequences of their behavior, or is it
because they don’t care?”
One aspect of the research addresses
college drinking. “One
aim of this project is to investigate the psychosocial mechanisms,
such as affiliation with college fraternities and sororities,
that distinguish non-antisocial alcoholism from antisocial
alcoholism,” Finn said. He believes that some undergraduates
are generally more careful in their drinking, more responsible
through actions such as use of a designated driver, and more
aware of the problems that excessive drinking can cause. He
said these individuals are less likely to be antisocial and
less likely to develop serious problems with alcohol.
For more details,
contact Finn at 812-855-9548 or finnp@indiana.edu#
