Fragile Self-Esteem and Alcohol-Related Negative Consequences Among College Student Drinkers

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-2013

Department

Psychology

Abstract

The pattern of alcohol consumption among college students and its negative consequences have been extensively studied. The purpose of the present study was to gain a better understanding of the connection between self-esteem and alcohol use among college students. Participants were 623 undergraduates who completed measures of self-esteem level (i.e., an overall evaluation of one's own value and worth), contingent self-esteem (i.e., what an individual believes he or she must accomplish in order to have value and worth as a person), alcohol use, harmful drinking patterns, and negative consequences of alcohol use. Our results show that individuals who possess high levels of self-esteem that are contingent (their positive self-views are strongly influenced by whether they have met the goals or standards they have set for themselves) report more alcohol-related negative consequences than individuals with noncontingent high self-esteem. Implications of these findings for understanding the connection between self-esteem and alcohol-related outcomes will be discussed.

Publication Title

Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology

Volume

32

Issue

5

First Page

546

Last Page

567

Link to Full Text

Find in your library

Share

COinS