Effect of precollege drinking intentions on women's college drinking as mediated via peer social influences

Objective: The study examined the impact of precollege drinking intentions on college heavy episodic drinking (HED) in a sample of women making the transition from high school to college. We hypothesized that the effects of drinking intentions on college first and second semester HED would be mediated by first semester social norms and drinking pressure. Method: High school seniors (n = 416) recruited from the community were assessed at the time of high school graduation and at the end of the first and second semesters of college. Results: The hypothesized model was supported. After controlling for high school HED, precollege drinking intentions predicted first semester descriptive and injunctive social norms and social pressure to drink. Social influence variables were associated with higher frequency HED in the first semester, which in turn predicted higher frequency HED in the second semester. Conclusions: Results suggest that precollege drinking intentions, independent of high school HED, may influence selection of college social environments and play a significant role in actual college HED. Assessment and targeting of these intentions may aid in prevention of college HED.