Date of Award

Summer 8-2016

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair

Michael B. Madson

Committee Chair Department

Psychology

Committee Member 2

Richard S. Mohn

Committee Member 2 Department

Educational Studies and Research

Committee Member 3

Bonnie C. Nicholson

Committee Member 3 Department

Psychology

Committee Member 4

Eric R. Dahlen

Committee Member 4 Department

Psychology

Abstract

Given the long standing gender differences in regard to alcohol-related behaviors and consequences, understanding how conformity to gender norms may predict alcohol-related outcomes is an important next step in developing effective prevention efforts aimed at reducing alcohol-related sexual consequences for college women. The current study examined the relationships among conformity to feminine and masculine gender norms and alcohol-related outcomes (harmful drinking patterns, protective behavior strategy use, and sex-related consequences) among college women. Another primary aim of the study was to determine the extent to which sex-specific alcohol expectancies mediated the associations between gender norms and alcohol-related outcomes. Participants were 421 undergraduate college women who indicated that they had consumed alcohol at least once during the thirty days prior to completing the study measures and who were between the ages of 18 and 25. Conformity to feminine norms was not directly predictive of any of the alcohol-related outcomes, while conformity to masculine norms was only associated with greater alcohol-related risky sexual behavior. Only sexual enhancement alcohol expectancies emerged as a mediator of the gender norms—alcohol-related outcomes link. Clinical and research implications are discussed.

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