Research

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds

An intervention to decrease the rate of binge drinking among intramural and sport club participants

Overview

It is not uncommon for college recreational sports administrators to be concerned with the role that alcohol plays in intramural and sport club participants lives. At The Ohio State University (OSU), there is convincing evidence that alcohol plays a significantly greater role in the lives of sport club and intramural participants than with other students. The Core Drug and Alcohol Survey, used to measure alcohol and other drug usage, attitudes, and perception among college students indicated that intramural and sport club participants at OSU were drinking at a higher rate than the general student population. Participants were more likely to binge drink and experience negative consequences related to alcohol use. The data also showed that:

• 61.7% of sport club/intramural participants had 5+ drinks in one sitting in the last two weeks versus 43.7% of the non-involved population.
• 32.3% of sport club/intramural participants had 5+ drinks 3+ times in the last two weeks versus 16.7% of the non-involved population.
• 46.2% of sport club/intramural participants have missed class as a result of alcohol use versus 31.8% of the non-involved population.
• 50.1% of sport club/intramural participants have done something they later regretted as a result of alcohol use versus 34.6% of the non-involved population.

Program

To address the drinking problem, an alcohol reduction program called “Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds” (HBHM) was launched in December 2006. Funded through a U.S. Department of Education Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools Alcohol Model grant, HBHM is an alcohol and other drug abuse prevention program. This collaborative project was designed specifically for intramural and sport club participants and was developed and administered by staff from The Ohio State University Student Wellness Center, the Department of Recreational Sports, and the National Research Institute for College Recreational Sports & Wellness.

The HBHM campaign consists of five elements:

1. Alcohol/other drug education sessions

Over 30 alcohol/other drug education sessions, such as CHOICES (A Brief Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program), are conducted each quarter for intramural and sport club participants. CHOICES, developed by Alan Marlatt, George Parks, et al, provides students with accurate information about the effects of alcohol so they can make informed decisions. Additionally, the program provides participants with strategies for reducing their risk if they choose to drink alcohol. Overall, the sessions are interactive and educational. Due to differences in sport clubs and intramurals, sport clubs are required to attend one session per quarter as part of their “Standards of Excellence,” while intramural teams receive a refund of their team registration if 75% of their team attends the session.

2. Late-night entertainment

The Student Wellness Center sponsors an alcohol-free late night entertainment event every Friday night during the school year. Events take place at the Recreation and Physical Activity Center (RPAC) and include concerts, intramural tournaments, and video-game tournaments, to name a few.

3. BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students)

This is a confidential, 1-on-1 alcohol assessment conducted by staff of the Student Wellness Center. Students can voluntarily participate but are also referred by the Department of Recreational Sports, OSU Student Judicial Affairs, University Housing and the municipal court systems.

4. Social norms marketing

Students tend to overestimate their peers’ alcohol and other drug use. Social Norms Theory tries to combat this by presenting students with the actual statistics of their peer use. The HBHM campaign identified seven social norms messages specific to intramural and sports club participants at OSU. These messages were communicated through posters, websites, presentations, and television ads in the RPAC.

5. Assessment

Measurements are being taken to observe changes in attitude, behavior, knowledge and perceptions regarding alcohol and other drug use among the indicated population. Assessment methods include pre/post tests, campus-wide alcohol and other drug surveys, sample surveys, focus groups, and satisfaction surveys. In April 2007, findings will be published in a final report.

Results of preliminary data

Since December 2005, 9626 students have participated in the Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds program. This includes 877 students attending the alcohol/other drug sessions, 8,706 attending a late-night event, and 43 participating in a BASICS session. Countless more have been exposed to social norms posters and statistics. Pre and post-test data collected during the alcohol/other drug sessions have shown that students’ alcohol knowledge has increased, as has their perception of negative consequences pertaining to alcohol use, as shown in the table below. Furthermore, 66% of students who drink reported that attending a late-night event resulted in less drinking for them.

Knowledge Gained From Choices Intervention (n=144)

Conclusions

Participating in intramurals and sport clubs is a great way for students to improve their physical health, meet people, stay competitive in sports they love, relieve stress, gain confidence, and establish a sense of belonging. According to The Value of Recreational Sports in Higher Education (NIRSA 2002), students perceive that participation improves their academic performance and helps them interact with diverse populations. 

For the OSU Student Wellness Center and the Department of Recreational Sports, the Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds campaign is about being committed to improving student wellness. The decisions students make regarding alcohol and other drugs affect many aspects of their lives, including the benefits they receive through their participation in recreational sports. Using intramurals and sport clubs as an access point, facilitators can reach students with important prevention messages.

The Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds campaign is a model program. It is designed to be replicable at a variety of institutions of higher education. College administrators interested in replicating the program at their institution may contact the OSU Student Wellness Center for resources, support and information. As additional results from the project unfold, they will be shared with the NIRSA membership. For further information, visit www.swc.osu.edu/alcohol_recsports.asp or contact the Student Wellness Center at 614-292-4527.