College students struggling with high-risk drinking are more likely to seek help when they believe their close social connections support them, according to a new study from Texas A&M University. Published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, the research combines psychological theory with social network analysis to uncover key factors influencing students’ decisions to pursue assistance.
The study, led by Assistant Professor Benjamin Montemayor and former doctoral student Sara Flores, explored why fewer than 10% of college students seek help for alcohol-related issues despite widespread campus resources. High-risk drinking, defined as reaching a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher, affects 30-40% of students, with 16% meeting the criteria for alcohol use disorder.
Using the Reasoned Action Approach-which examines how beliefs, social expectations, and perceived control shape behavior-the researchers analyzed survey data from 1,447 students. Participants also identified their closest social connections, revealing that supportive networks significantly strengthened intentions to seek help. While psychological factors explained 40% of the variance in help-seeking intentions, social network characteristics added an extra 2.8%, highlighting their unique role.
“Students who believed their closest connections supported them were more likely to intend to seek help,” Flores said. This suggests that interventions should address both individual perceptions and social influences.
The findings underscore the importance of integrating social support into campus programs aimed at reducing high-risk drinking. While the study did not test interventions directly, it provides a foundation for designing more effective strategies to bridge the gap between recognizing a problem and seeking help.
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