Binge Drinking Behaviors among College Fraternity Members: An Exploration Using Theory of Planned Behavior

Research indicates members of college Fraternities binge drinking at higher rates than their peers. Given the health and social consequences of binge drinking, it may be beneficial to explore binge drinking behaviors in this specific population. This study examined if the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) predicts binge drinking behaviors of Fraternity students at Arizona State University. In a cross-sectional design, male Fraternity members (n=49) completed an online survey measuring their drinking behaviors and associated constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior (i.e. attitudes, subjective norms, descriptive norms, behavioral control, and self-efficacy). Results indicated all participants reported drinking alcohol over the previous 30 days. TPB variables of attitudes (r =.658, p <0.01), subjective norms (r =.384, p <0.01), and self-efficacy (r =.487, p <.01) were significantly associated with the construct of intention to binge drink. Variables of descriptive norms (r=-.045, p>.05) and perceived control (r=-.060, p>.05) were not significantly associated with intention to binge drink. Binge drinking intention (r =.538, p <0.01) was also significantly associated with binge drinking behaviors in this population. Findings indicate favorably for TPB to describe binge drinking behaviors in University Fraternity students. Researchers designing interventions to prevent binge drinking may consider targeting TPB constructs attitudes, subjective norms, and self-efficacy, as the current study indicates these are important factors associated with intention to binge drink, as well as actual binge drinking behaviors.