Influences on College Student Alcohol Recidivists in Recovery and Their Decision Making: A Narrative Inquiry
Open Access
- Author:
- Bigelow, Taylor Marie
- Graduate Program:
- Counselor Education
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- June 25, 2020
- Committee Members:
- Jolynn Carney, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Jolynn Carney, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Wendy Ann Coduti, Committee Member
Diandra Janelle Prescod, Committee Member
Mari Haneda, Outside Member
Carlos P Zalaquett, Program Head/Chair - Keywords:
- College Student
Alcohol Use
Recidivism
Decision Making
Narrative Inquiry
Health Education
Brief Intervention
Alcohol Recovery
Substance Use
Higher Education - Abstract:
- High-risk college drinking behavior can result in student alcohol recidivism. The purpose of this narrative study was to understand the experiences of college student alcohol recidivists attending a 4-year, state-related university to gain an understanding of their experience and decision-making. The study aimed to identify variables that effect college student recidivists that serve as a launching point for further study of this population of students and how to support them. This study focused on four student alcohol recidivists in recovery from alcohol at the individual level to learn about their experience as recidivists and gain understanding into potential variables that influence recidivism and how to potentially intervene. This qualitative dissertation thematically analyzed the narrative of four college alcohol recidivists. Participants were consecutively sampled, meaning that I enrolled every participant who met inclusion criteria. Data were collected using a three-part in-depth interview protocol conducted in person and online due to COVID-19. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The Dual Systems Process Model (Shulman, et al., 2016) and Chickering and Reisser’s (1993) theory of student development were used to frame the literature review and provide a conceptual framework for analysis. The study yielded six themes across all participants: Self, Emotion Management, Cognitive Control, Risky Behavior, Social Influence, and Repercussions. Analysis found that each participant has differing cognitive awareness prior to and after their numerous events that has informed their decision-making, a result of their cognitive control development over time. Additional research is needed to grasp how to identify and support students at risk of repeat alcohol incidents.