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Environment and Behavior
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Celebratory Drinking and Intoxication

A Contextual Influence on Alcohol Consumption

Kent E. Glindemann

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, kglindem{at}vt.edu

Douglas M. Wiegand

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

E. Scott Geller

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, esgeller{at}vt.edu

Two field studies measured college students' actual intoxication levels using handheld breathalyzers on Halloween and St. Patrick's Day and compared these celebration days to typical nights surrounding these events. In addition, across all nights of Study 2, participants were asked if they were celebrating any occasion or event that night, and those reporting a celebration motive were compared to those with no such motive. The combined sample was 70% men (n = 498), and 89.9% (n = 639) were students at the local university. Across both years of the study, those reporting a celebration motive reached significantly higher levels of intoxication (mean blood alcohol concentration = .096, n = 413) than those not celebrating (mean blood alcohol concentration = .074, n = 298, p < .05). These results support the hypothesis that those consuming alcohol with a specific reason to celebrate reach higher levels of intoxication.

Key Words: alcohol • blood alcohol concentration • college students • celebration • Halloween • St. Patrick's Day

Environment and Behavior, Vol. 39, No. 3, 352-366 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/001391650290949
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