National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, taking place from October 19-25, 2023, highlights the challenges many college students face regarding alcohol use. At the forefront of this research is Adrian Bravo, Associate Professor of Psychological Sciences at William & Mary, who is examining international trends in alcohol use disorders among students. Collaborating with a global team of researchers, Bravo’s work sheds light on how adverse childhood experiences can increase vulnerability to problematic drinking.
A recent study published in the journal Substance Use & Misuse, led by Isabela Ortiz Caso, a William & Mary alumna, identifies various childhood adversities as significant contributors to alcohol-related issues. “Adverse childhood experiences aren’t restricted to the horrible extremes of physical and emotional abuse,” explains Bravo. He notes that witnessing family conflict or growing up with a family member struggling with substance use can profoundly influence a young person’s development and worldview.
The research, which analyzed data from over 4,000 students across 12 universities in seven countries, including Argentina, the United States, England, and South Africa, reveals a consistent pattern. Ortiz Caso states, “Most psychology studies focus on a single population. But we found the same pattern across seven countries, suggesting that the factors linked to problematic drinking transcend geography.”
Understanding Risk Factors for Alcohol Use
The findings of this study indicate that the correlation between childhood adversity, ruminative thinking, and alcohol consumption is significant. Although the research does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it does highlight a clear chain of connections. The study emphasizes the importance of recognizing how early experiences can shape drinking behaviors in college students.
Bravo, who has personal ties to this research as a Cuban immigrant, formed the Cross-Cultural Addictions Study Team (CAST) to address these complex issues. The team, consisting of 18 researchers from seven countries, aims to understand how individual experiences and personality traits influence substance use and mental health challenges.
“Our research shows that many factors other than simply drinking too much predict who reports negative alcohol-related problems while in college,” Bravo notes. This insight encourages a shift in focus from merely quantifying alcohol consumption to understanding the psychological and behavioral factors that contribute to problematic use.
Three primary risk factors have emerged from CAST’s studies: impulsivity, poor mental health, and adverse childhood experiences. Impulsivity often manifests as an urgent need to act during high-emotion situations, which can lead to drinking as a way to cope with both celebrations and disappointments.
Furthermore, students with poor mental health may find that substances offer a quick escape from their struggles. Bravo elaborates, “For those suffering from poor mental health, turning to substances may seem like the easiest way to deal with negative feelings.” The third factor—adverse childhood experiences—ranging from physical abuse to neglect, is particularly concerning as it can create a volatile environment that affects emotional stability.
Implications for Intervention Strategies
For Ortiz Caso, who currently works as an intramural research fellow at the National Institutes of Health, identifying these patterns is vital for developing effective interventions. “When people drink to cope with negative emotions, shaped by early life experiences, it’s a different motivation than social drinking,” she explains. Recognizing these motivations can help universities and policymakers implement better strategies to address alcohol use disorders.
Both Ortiz Caso and Bravo advocate for universities to provide resources that assist students grappling with alcohol-related issues. At William & Mary, various health and wellness services—including the Counseling Center and the Student Health Center—aim to promote well-being and reduce risks associated with substance use. Additionally, the New Leaf clinic at the W&M School of Education offers further support for students facing high-risk substance use.
Bravo emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to support students. “Universities shouldn’t just tell students to drink less. They should offer alternatives to cope with stress, such as meditation, exercise, and counseling,” he states. This comprehensive support can help break the cycle of maladaptive coping mechanisms and encourage healthier habits among students.
As National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week unfolds, the research conducted by Bravo and Ortiz Caso underscores the critical link between childhood experiences and alcohol use in college students. By fostering a deeper understanding of these factors, institutions can better support their students and address the growing concern of alcohol misuse on campuses worldwide.
