Stress, pressure, and anxiety : binge drinking at Saint Mary’s University

Abstract

University student stress levels are increasing as well as their negative coping strategies, such as binge drinking and drug experimentation. This research attempts to understand more about where the student stress is coming from. The research questions which this study attempts to answer are; (1) Are students engaging in binge drinking as a coping mechanism for academic pressures? (2) Are students engaging in binge drinking as a coping mechanism for social pressures? (3) Do academic and social pressures contribute to the onset of social anxiety? To answer these questions, a questionnaire was distributed among Saint Mary's University undergraduate students to better understand their academic and social pressures, in addition to the forming of social anxiety and binge drinking as a coping mechanism for their pressures. This study found that social pressures were far greater than academic pressures and resulted in increased binge drinking for students who felt social pressures. Furthermore, it was found that those who experienced social anxiety were more likely to engage in binge drinking as a coping mechanism for social pressures. This study provides avenues for future research and alcohol intervention or prevention programs.