Differentiating Adjudicated From Nonadjudicated Freshmen Men: The Role of Alcohol Expectancies, Tension, and Concern About Health

Identifying students at risk for violating alcohol policies could help college administrators minimize many problems. In this study, 154 male college freshmen [mean age 18.01 (SD = .50); 63% (n = 54) Caucasian], 68 of whom had been adjudicated for violating alcohol policies, completed an initial questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics and beliefs about drinking as well as a Timeline Followback of previous drinking behavior. Compared to the 86 nonadjudicated participants, adjudicated men were more likely to be Caucasian, from higher income families, involved in heavy drinking, and higher on positive alcohol expectancies. They reported less concern about their health and less tension. A logistic regression with these variables successfully distinguished between the two groups. Health and tension items alone correctly classified the groups almost as well. Results suggest that simple assessments about tension and concern for health may identify male students in need of prevention efforts.