Influence of Peer Pressure and Self-Efficacy for Alcohol Self-Regulation on Chinese University Physical Education Students’ Drinking Behaviors

Authors

Lanyan Ding, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Ian M. Newman, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Eric S. Buhs, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Duane F. Shell, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2018

Citation

Advances in Physical Education, 8, 46-57.

Comments

Copyright © 2018 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.

Open access

https://doi.org/10.4236/ape.2018.81006

Abstract

This study examined peer group influence on university student drinking in China and the indirect effects of peer pressure and self-efficacy for alcohol self-regulation. A total of 951 undergraduate university students (first, second and third year) from a university in central China completed questionnaires asking about perceived peer pressures, self-efficacy for alcohol self-regulation, and drinking frequency. Analysis of their answers showed that the drinking frequency among physical education (PE) students was higher than among the comparison group (History students). The PE students perceived greater peer pressure, and had lower self-efficacy for alcohol self-regulation, both of which contributed directly to drinking frequency. Path analysis indicated indirect effects of peer pressure and self-efficacy for alcohol self-regulation on the association between peer group membership and drinking frequency. This suggested that skills training to increase self-efficacy for alcohol self-regulation in culturally-specific settings have the potential to both directly and indirectly lower drinking rates in peer groups with high peer pressure and higher than normal drinking.