Estimation of a standard alcohol drink size : do Singapore university students drink more in the presence of an unfamiliar peer?

• Main Author: Fong, Kuan Wei.
• Other Authors: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Psychology
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/44822
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The high rates of alcohol consumption among university students have been documented in several research studies in the United States. Problem drinking is fast becoming a problem in Singapore, with male adolescents a vulnerable group susceptible to drinking patterns that have several negative consequences. Binge drinkers account for approximately half of the reported alcohol use. Personality variables that correlate with problem drinking such as impulsivity and religiosity have been identified in past research. The study makes use of a free-pour task paradigm to investigate students’ definition of a standard alcoholic drink (i.e., beer, shot and mixed drink). Results show that students over-pour by as much as 12.8-23.1% in volume. The presence of an unfamiliar peer significantly reduced pouring volumes and self-monitoring scores predicted pour volumes. Efforts to raise awareness of correlates of problem drinking and definitions of standard drink must be accelerated.