The Association Between Depression, Spirituality and Religiosity, and Alcohol Use in College Students at a Faith Based University

Background and Purpose:

Alcohol use can have severe ramifications for a student’s overall physical, academic, emotional, and spiritual well being. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reported that roughly 1,825 college students die each year from alcohol related incidents. Approximately four out of every five-college students drink alcohol, and half of college students who drink participate in binge drinking. Additionally, 690,000 students suffer assaults from students who are intoxicated or have been drinking. It has also been reported that 97,000 students are victims of an alcohol-related sexual assault or rape.

While extensive research has been conducted on variables related to alcohol use on college campuses, little research exists that directly examines variables of importance to faith-based academic institutions. One opinion, often expressed by administrators, faculty members, and other stakeholders, in faith-based academic institutions, is that students at such institutions are protected against alcohol-related problems by virtue of this faith-base. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to examine the degree to which religiosity and spirituality protect students from alcohol-related problems.

Methods:

An electronic survey was sent out to all undergraduate students attending a medium sized, faith-based university, located in the southwestern United States. Variables included the frequency and quantity of alcohol use, depressive tendencies, and spirituality and religiosity. Instruments used included: 1) The PHQ-9 Patient Depression Questionnaire; 2) the religiousness and spirituality subscales excerpted from the Expressions of Spirituality Inventory (ESI); 3) The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT); 4) Additional items to determine key demographic variables.

Hierarchical linear, and binary logistic, regression analyses were used to test models for statistical significance. In both sets of analyses, depression scale scores worked as predictor variables, and alcohol use functioned as the outcome. For the sake of the binary logistic regression, AUDIT scores were converted to a binary (i.e., low risk vs. high risk) variable using an AUDIT score of eight or higher as the criterion for high risk.

Results:

Results indicated that the prevalence rates for alcohol use problems were very similar to those reported in a nationally representative sample of college students. The best predictors of high-risk for having an alcohol-related disorder were being male, living off campus, and being involved in a social club. Religiosity was inversely associated with AUDIT scores; though, the association was weak. Spirituality was a significant moderator of the relationship between depression and AUDIT scores.

Conclusions and Implications:

The proportion of students developing drinking-related problems was very similar to proportions reported in a nationally representative sample of college students. This finding strongly suggests that the faith-based affiliation does not protect students from developing alcohol-related problems. While religiosity was inversely associated with AUDIT scores, this association was weak with an odds ratio near 1:1. Recognizing that students in this faith-based institution are similar, with respect to developing alcohol-related problems, to students in nationally representative samples is a necessary first step to developing compassionate policies, programs and services for those who are at high-risk for alcohol-use problems.