Role of Place of Residence on Drinking and Driving among Students in a Hispanic Serving University

Abstract

This study describes the role of place of residence on drinking and driving among students in a large Hispanic- serving institution. The National College Health Assessment survey was administered during the fall of 2004. 1130 randomly selected students completed this anonymous questionnaire. Hispanic students were less likely to drive after drinking compared to non-Hispanic white students, but Hispanic students were more likely to live with parents (55%) compared with non-Hispanic white students (22%). After adjusting for the place of residence, there were no significant differences in drinking and driving between Hispanics and non-Hispanic white students. Therefore, in part, lower levels of driving after drinking among Hispanic students was mediated by current place of residence. However, the impact of living with parents was not significant among heavy alcohol users.