Abstract:

The objective of this dissertation was to explore the differences in the use and misuse of alcohol and related consequences in a large nationally representative sample of college students who have clearly identified their sexual orientation. Differences among college students who participated in the 2005 National College Health Association survey were examined by gender and by differences in self reported sexual orientation. The results for each of the eight proposed research questions were presented. This study suggests that college students are a much more heterogeneous group in regard to their use of alcohol and experienced consequences then was perhaps previously acknowledged. The results from this nationally representative sample add to the nascent body of evidence suggesting that significant differences exist in the college student population in the frequency, amount, and related negative consequences of alcohol use by college students, not only by gender, but by sexual orientation as well.