The influence of pre-college behaviors and parenting practices on alcohol misuse, sexual risk-taking, and adverse outcomes among first-year college women

Objective: Although numerous reports document college students’ risk-taking behaviors, few examine these behaviors in a developmental context. The purpose of this study was to examine female freshmen college students’ pre-college experiences and parenting influences on first semester experiences with alcohol misuse, sexual risk-taking, and adverse outcomes, including violence. Methods: We surveyed 229 female freshman residential college students at the end of their first semester in college. Results: Participants who drank frequently in high school were more likely to binge drink in college and regret doing something while drinking. Mother–daughter closeness and parental discussions of sexual risks, personal safety and danger avoidance were associated with a reduced likelihood of regretting doing something while drinking, experiencing sexual violence, and having sex without a condom. Parental provision of alcohol was associated with alcohol misuse. Conclusion: These findings provide a life course perspective on the development of risk behaviors and adverse outcomes during emerging adulthood.