ENERGY DRINK CONSUMPTION (WITH AND WITHOUT ALCOHOL) AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO RISKY BEHAVIOR, RISK AWARENESS, AND BEHAVIORAL INTENTION IN COLLEGE STUDENTS

• Main Author: Buchanan, Julia K
• Format: Others
• Published: UKnowledge 2012
• Subjects: Energy Drinks; Energy Drinks with Alcohol; Risky Behaviors in College Students; Risk Awareness; Behavioral Intention; Other Education; Public Health Education and Promotion
• Online Access: http://uknowledge.uky.edu/khp_etds/5; http://uknowledge.uky.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1004&context=khp_etds

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships between energy drink consumption (with and without alcohol) and other risky behaviors; students’ overall awareness level of the risks for consuming energy drinks; and overall behavioral intention to consume energy drinks among college students at the University of Kentucky. A total of 277 students enrolled during the Spring 2012 semester responded to the online survey, 46.5% (n=129) of which were considered energy drink users. Students classified as energy drink users participated in other risky behaviors more often than non-users (p=0.001). In addition, energy drink users exhibited a higher awareness level for the risks associated with energy drink consumption both with (p=0.000) and without (p=0.000) alcohol. Those who were more aware of the risks associated with energy drink consumption, both with (p=0.001) and without (p=0.001) alcohol, were found to have increased intention to consume energy drinks within the next month compared to those with lower awareness levels. There is a need for future research on this topic, as well as a need for expanded education and intervention programming for college students regarding the risks of energy drink consumption (with and without alcohol).