Behavioral risks during the transition from high school to college

Dev Psychol. 2008 Sep;44(5):1497-504. doi: 10.1037/a0012614.

Abstract

The transition from high school to college is an important developmental milestone that holds the potential for personal growth and behavioral change. A cohort of 2,245 students was recruited during the summer before they matriculated into college and completed Internet-based surveys about their participation in a variety of behavioral risks during the last 3 months of high school and throughout the 1st year of college. Alcohol use, marijuana use, and sex with multiple partners increased during the transition from high school to college, whereas driving after drinking, aggression, and property crimes decreased. Those from rural high schools and those who elected to live in private dormitories in college were at highest risk for heavy drinking and driving after drinking.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aggression / psychology
  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology*
  • Alcohol Drinking / psychology
  • Alcoholic Intoxication / epidemiology
  • Alcoholic Intoxication / psychology
  • Automobile Driving
  • Crime / psychology
  • Crime / statistics & numerical data
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs
  • Individuation*
  • Male
  • Marijuana Abuse / epidemiology*
  • Marijuana Abuse / psychology
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Sexual Behavior*
  • Social Environment*
  • Students / psychology*
  • Students / statistics & numerical data
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Texas
  • Unsafe Sex

Substances

  • Illicit Drugs