Alcohol consumption by university students: Engagement in hazardous and delinquent behaviours and experiences of harm

Consuming alcohol leads to a lowering of inhibitions and for some, an increase in aggressive and violent behaviour. As a result, those who have been drinking are more likely to engage in hazardous and ‘delinquent’ behaviours and cause harm to others. The extent to which university students engage in these behaviours while under the influence of alcohol is relatively under-investigated. Also unexplored is the extent to which these behaviours generate harm to other university students. As part of the Alcohol Use and Harm Minimisation Among Australian University Students project, university students in the Australian States of Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria were invited to participate in the Alcohol and University Life online survey; over 3000 students responded. Respondents were asked to indicate how frequently they engaged in hazardous and ‘delinquent’ behaviours while under the influence of alcohol (eg went to work, drove a motor vehicle, stole money, physically abused someone) and also the extent to which they have experienced harm as a result of others’ drinking (eg property damage, sleep interruption, sexual assault). Results show that university students experience a high prevalence of harm and disruptions due to others’ alcohol consumption and that males are engaging in more risky and delinquent behaviour than females. These findings suggest the need for harm minimisation strategies