Psychological factors associated with alcohol use by high school athletes

Includes bibliographical references (pages [30]-32)The purpose of this study was to determine if any of the following psychological factors were associated with alcohol use by high school athletes: tension-anxiety, depression, anger, fatigue, vigor, confusion, and self-esteem. In addition, this study attempted to identify whether pressures or anxieties resulting from academics, parent(s) or guardian(s), and coaches were associated with alcohol use by high school athletes. Subjects consisted of male (N = 148) and female (N = 152) high school athletes from several Midwestern United States high schools. The student-athletes were administered an alcohol questionnaire to determine their use or non-use of alcohol. The athletes were categorized as either an alcohol user or non-user based on their reported frequency of alcohol use. The Profile of Mood States (POMS), the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (SEI), and several questions regarding the pressures and anxieties perceived in their dual role as student-athletes were also administered. A MANOVA was conducted to distinguish significant differences between users and non-users on the POMS, SEI, and stress related questions. Results found the alcohol users to have scored significantly higher on the anger subscale of the POMS than the alcohol non-users. The results indicated that alcohol non-users have significantly more anxiety than alcohol users in regards to receiving a scholarship to college. In addition, males felt more pressure to win than females.M.S. Ed. (Master of Education