REPORT OF DATA AND DATA ANALYSIS

This chapter will include a brief overview of the purpose of the study and a summary of the research methodology. Each research question is provided with results, presenting an analysis and interpretation of the data gathered throughout the course of the study. Results including both quantitative and qualitative responses and analyses are provided.

Introduction

While researchers have been able to identify the high-risk drinking behaviors and resulting negative consequences associated with fraternity and sorority members, little work has been done to evaluate effective education and prevention programs for this special population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the impact of the Alcohol Skills Training Program on college fraternity members’ drinking behaviors and to attempt to ascertain what elements of the program may lead to change. The researcher wished to explore what aspects of the program led effectiveness or ineffectiveness as well as try to understand the role that chapter culture might play in success of the program in changing college fraternity member’s drinking behaviors.

Sample Characteristics Quantitative Data

For the purposes of collecting quantitative data, six chapters of the national fraternity were divided into an experimental and a control group. The experimental group consisted of three chapters that were already slated to receive ASTP during the fall semester in which the study was conducted. All of these chapters belong to public

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institutions of higher education that are located in the Southeastern United States and range in size from 5,000 – 25,000 undergraduate students, making up the target population and including 120 undergraduate members of the fraternity. The control group consisted of three chapters that matched as closely as possible the demographics of the chapters in the experimental group in terms of campus type and size and size of chapter as well as overall chapter characteristics. The target population within this group consisted of 137 undergraduate members of the fraternity. Response rates, based on sample population, for participation in the study are provided below.

Table 1

Response Rates

Experimental Group Control Group

Pre-Test Completion n = 65 54% n = 58 42%

Post-Test Completion n = 57 48% n = 64 47%

Qualitative Data

The sample for the qualitative portion of the research study consisted of four members from the experimental group. Three of the members were from Experimental Chapter 3 and one was from Experimental Chapter 2. Despite the researcher’s efforts and the assistance of the national fraternity, no members from Experimental Chapter 1 offered to participate in the interview process. A brief description of the quantitative characteristics of each of the interview participants is provided.

Fraternity Member 1 is a member of Experimental Chapter 3. Between pre-test

and post-test, he reduced his average number of drinks per week from 13 to 11 and his peak BAL from .125 to .032. He did not respond to the RAPI questions at post-test, so

81 no comparison data for this measure was available.

Fraternity Member 2 is a member of Experimental Chapter 3. Between pre-test

and post-test, he decreased his average number of drinks per week from 7 to 2 and his RAPI score from 3 to 0. However, his peak BAL increased from .018 to .033.

Fraternity Member 3 is a member of Experimental Chapter 3. Between pre-test

and post-test, he reduced his average number of drinks per week from 10 to 5 and his RAPI score from 7 to 4. However, his peak BAL increased from .013 to .024.

Fraternity Member 4 is a member of Experimental Chapter 2. Between pre-test

and post-test, he experienced reductions in his average number of drinks per week, from 23 to 15; his peak BAL, from .169 to .108; and his RAPI score, from 36 to 7.

Research Questions

The researcher in this study considered the following overarching question in this study: Does the Alcohol Skills Training Program result in decreased high-risk drinking behaviors and negative consequences for national fraternity members?

In addition, the following subquestions were used to answer the overarching question:

Subquestion 1: To what extent does ASTP reduce high-risk drinking behaviors in fraternity members?

Subquestion 2: To what extent does ASTP reduce negative consequences associated with high-risk drinking in fraternity members?

Subquestion 3: What aspects of ASTP make the program successful for use with fraternity members in addressing high-risk drinking behaviors and associated negative

82 consequences?

Subquestion 4: Is there an association between a chapter culture that promotes alcohol use and the extent to which the skills taught in ASTP are implemented by participants?

In order to answer these research questions, the researcher used a mixed methods approach, collecting both quantitative and qualitative data, with the quantitative findings informing the qualitative data collection. A variety of surveys and questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data, while the qualitative data was collected by the use of interviews.

Findings

The results of this study were used to answer each of the research subquestions in an attempt to thoroughly answer the overarching research question. The findings are organized as they relate to each of the four subquestions and the data related to each subquestion is divided into quantitative and qualitative data analysis sections as

appropriate. The overarching research question is answered based upon the data results related to each subquestion and is provided in the summary at the end of this chapter. All quantitative data is presented in aggregate form with no identifying information included. In order to protect the confidentiality of the interview participants, each participant has been identified as Fraternity Member One, Fraternity Member Two, etc.

Subquestion 1: To what extent does ASTP reduce high-risk drinking behaviors in