Selection and socialization effects of fraternities and sororities on US college student substance use: a multi‐cohort national longitudinal study

McCabe et al. (2005) found fraternity and sorority members experienced higher levels of heavy episodic drinking than nonmembers at all three waves.

“McCabe, Schulenberg, et al. (2005), drawing on a nationally representative sample of high school seniors (wave one; modal age 18 years), followed longitudinally across two additional waves during college (modal ages 19/20 and 21/22), found fraternity and sorority members experienced higher levels of heavy episodic drinking than nonmembers at all three waves.”

McCabe et al. (2005) found heavy episodic drinking increased significantly with age among members of fraternities or sororities relative to nonmembers.

“Heavy episodic drinking also increased significantly with age among members of fraternities or sororities relative to nonmembers.”

McCabe et al. (2005) found higher rates of alcohol use among college students who join fraternities and sororities predated college attendance, and membership was associated with considerably greater than average increases in heavy episodic drinking during college.

“Results from mailed questionnaires with questions similar to CAS and CORE self-reported measure suggested higher rates of alcohol use among college students who join fraternities and sororities predated college attendance, and membership in a fraternity or a sorority was associated with considerably greater than average increases in heavy episodic drinking during college.”

McCabe, Schulenberg, et al. (2005) found that active members of fraternities and sororities had higher levels of annual marijuana use than nonmembers at all waves.

“McCabe, Schulenberg, et al. (2005), in their study of high school seniors followed longitudinally across two follow-up waves during college, found active members of fraternities and sororities had higher levels of annual marijuana use than nonmembers at all waves.”

McCabe, Schulenberg, et al. (2005) found that annual marijuana use increased significantly with age among members of fraternities or sororities relative to nonmembers.

“Annual marijuana use increased significantly with age among members of fraternities or sororities relative to nonmembers.”

The review found that a longer-term examination of trends suggested tobacco use was established prior to membership.

“Researchers reported mixed results for fraternity-only smoking rates, but a longer-term examination of trends suggested use was established prior to membership (McCabe, Schulenberg, et al., 2005).”