The Effect of Competitiveness on Student-Athletes’ and Non-Athletes’ Drinking Behaviors

Bell, McKenzie

The Effect of Competitiveness on Student-Athletes’ and Non-Athletes’ Drinking Behaviors

Persistent URL

http://hdl.handle.net/10456/41586

Author(s)

Bell, McKenzie

Date Issued

April 4, 2016

Abstract

This study assesses competitiveness and its relationship to drinking behaviors among college varsity athletes and non-athletes. Personality differences among groups contribute to rates of three measures of competitiveness were used, the Sport Orientation Questionnaire (SOQ), the revised Competitiveness Index (CI – R), and the competitiveness subscale of the Work and Family Orientation Questionnaire (WOFO). These were combined into one composite competitiveness score and analyzed in relation to four alcohol consumption variables: total drinks per week, total hours spent drinking per week, maximum number of drinks consumed on one occasion over the past 30 days, and the number of binge drinking episodes in the past 2 weeks. The anticipated results were that varsity athlete status and competitiveness would be predictors of higher alcohol consumption behavior. The competitiveness composite was significantly correlated with all of the other variables. Multiple regression analysis produced significant models for ‘total drinks consumed per week’ and ‘total hours spent drinking per week’. Limitations and future research directives are discussed.

Major

Psychology

First Reader(s)

Rutledge, Patricia Carr