Self-control and alcohol consumption among university students in Botswana

Abstract

The study explored the relationship between self-control and alcohol consumption among students at the University of Botswana, and was entrenched within the socialcognitive theory of self-regulation. Data were collected from 135 undergraduate students (42.2% female, 57.8% male) with a mean age of 21.22 years (SD = 2.16). Self-control was measured by the Brief Self-control Scale. Self-reported alcohol consumption on weekdays and in specific situations was converted into alcohol units. Participants who reported not drinking alcohol at all (55.6%) scored significantly higher in self-control. For those participants who reported drinking alcohol (44.4%), total self-control scores correlated moderately and inversely with alcohol consumption per week, in situations of stress, happiness, and when with friends. Standard multiple regression analysis revealed that self-control was a stronger predictor of the amount of alcohol consumed than were age and gender. The results are discussed with regard to the role of self-regulatory behaviour in the consumption of alcohol.

Key words: Alcohol consumption, Botswana, self-control, self-regulation, undergraduate students