Personality, Living Arrangements, and Alcohol Use by First Year University Students

The purpose of this study was to investigate the interaction of personality, living arrangements, and alcohol consumption amongst first year University students. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, and the Ontario Life Styles Survey were administered to 94 Laurentian University Students. The subjects resided in one of three living arrangements; on campus, off campus, or with their parents. There was a significant difference between gender on the total weekly consumption scores and on risk for alcohol addiction. Male students living off campus and in residence showed greater risk for alcohol addiction than did students living with their parents. Those students who were at risk for alcohol addiction showed higher mean scores on clinical scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory including psychopathic deviance and mania. A significance was also noted in self-esteem and living arrangements with the students living off campus having higher self-esteem than those students living with parents or in residence.