Abstract
Background: Few studies have examined the context in which drinkers underestimate their breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) in natural drinking environments. This study examined factors associated with bar patrons’ self-estimated BrAC in high-risk college town settings. Methods: Guided interview and BrAC data were collected from 510 participants recruited as they exited bars located close to large universities: 1 in Florida and 1 in Texas. Results: Participants with the highest measured BrACs underestimated their BrAC levels the most. Findings from multivariable linear regression analysis indicated that BrAC (std β = 0.014, p < 0.001), number of alcoholic drinks consumed (std β = 0.006, p < 0.01), and perceived drunkenness (std β = 0.024, p < 0.001) had significant positive associations with BrAC self-estimates, where the regression coefficients were scaled by values approximately equal to each variable's interquartile range. Among the 321 participants with BrAC levels ≥ 0.08 g/dl, 21.2% believed their BrAC was below the legal per se driving limit of 0.08 g/dl. Results from a logistic regression analysis indicated that higher levels of perceived drunkenness were associated with better self-recognition that one's BrAC level exceeded the legal driving threshold (OR = 3.312, p < 0.001). Further, participants under 26 years of age had reduced odds of recognizing that their BrAC was greater than 0.079 g/dl (OR = 0.245, p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings highlight the inaccuracy of self-estimated BrAC when drinking, particularly among younger drinkers. Adjusting for BrAC, situational factors were strongly associated with self-estimated BrAC. Future research is needed to better understand how altering drinking environments may improve accuracy of BrAC self-estimates and deter driving after drinking.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1492-1501 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research |
| Volume | 41 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 Aug 2017 |
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Keywords
- Errors in Self-Estimation of Breath Alcohol Concentration
- Inaccuracy of Perceived Blood Alcohol Concentration Levels
- Misperceptions of BAC Self-Estimates
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Factors Associated with Self-Estimated Breath Alcohol Concentration Among Bar Patrons. / Rossheim, Matthew E.; Barry, Adam E.; Thombs, Dennis L.; Weiler, Robert M.; Krall, Jenna R.; Stephenson, Caroline J.; Walters, Scott T.; Reed, Mark B.; Clapp, John D.; Suzuki, Sumihiro; Barnett, Tracey Elaine; Cannell, M. Brad.
In: Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, Vol. 41, No. 8, 01.08.2017, p. 1492-1501.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Factors Associated with Self-Estimated Breath Alcohol Concentration Among Bar Patrons
AU - Rossheim, Matthew E.
AU - Barry, Adam E.
AU - Thombs, Dennis L.
AU - Weiler, Robert M.
AU - Krall, Jenna R.
AU - Stephenson, Caroline J.
AU - Walters, Scott T.
AU - Reed, Mark B.
AU - Clapp, John D.
AU - Suzuki, Sumihiro
AU - Barnett, Tracey Elaine
AU - Cannell, M. Brad
PY - 2017/8/1
Y1 - 2017/8/1
N2 - Background: Few studies have examined the context in which drinkers underestimate their breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) in natural drinking environments. This study examined factors associated with bar patrons’ self-estimated BrAC in high-risk college town settings. Methods: Guided interview and BrAC data were collected from 510 participants recruited as they exited bars located close to large universities: 1 in Florida and 1 in Texas. Results: Participants with the highest measured BrACs underestimated their BrAC levels the most. Findings from multivariable linear regression analysis indicated that BrAC (std β = 0.014, p < 0.001), number of alcoholic drinks consumed (std β = 0.006, p < 0.01), and perceived drunkenness (std β = 0.024, p < 0.001) had significant positive associations with BrAC self-estimates, where the regression coefficients were scaled by values approximately equal to each variable's interquartile range. Among the 321 participants with BrAC levels ≥ 0.08 g/dl, 21.2% believed their BrAC was below the legal per se driving limit of 0.08 g/dl. Results from a logistic regression analysis indicated that higher levels of perceived drunkenness were associated with better self-recognition that one's BrAC level exceeded the legal driving threshold (OR = 3.312, p < 0.001). Further, participants under 26 years of age had reduced odds of recognizing that their BrAC was greater than 0.079 g/dl (OR = 0.245, p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings highlight the inaccuracy of self-estimated BrAC when drinking, particularly among younger drinkers. Adjusting for BrAC, situational factors were strongly associated with self-estimated BrAC. Future research is needed to better understand how altering drinking environments may improve accuracy of BrAC self-estimates and deter driving after drinking.
AB - Background: Few studies have examined the context in which drinkers underestimate their breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) in natural drinking environments. This study examined factors associated with bar patrons’ self-estimated BrAC in high-risk college town settings. Methods: Guided interview and BrAC data were collected from 510 participants recruited as they exited bars located close to large universities: 1 in Florida and 1 in Texas. Results: Participants with the highest measured BrACs underestimated their BrAC levels the most. Findings from multivariable linear regression analysis indicated that BrAC (std β = 0.014, p < 0.001), number of alcoholic drinks consumed (std β = 0.006, p < 0.01), and perceived drunkenness (std β = 0.024, p < 0.001) had significant positive associations with BrAC self-estimates, where the regression coefficients were scaled by values approximately equal to each variable's interquartile range. Among the 321 participants with BrAC levels ≥ 0.08 g/dl, 21.2% believed their BrAC was below the legal per se driving limit of 0.08 g/dl. Results from a logistic regression analysis indicated that higher levels of perceived drunkenness were associated with better self-recognition that one's BrAC level exceeded the legal driving threshold (OR = 3.312, p < 0.001). Further, participants under 26 years of age had reduced odds of recognizing that their BrAC was greater than 0.079 g/dl (OR = 0.245, p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings highlight the inaccuracy of self-estimated BrAC when drinking, particularly among younger drinkers. Adjusting for BrAC, situational factors were strongly associated with self-estimated BrAC. Future research is needed to better understand how altering drinking environments may improve accuracy of BrAC self-estimates and deter driving after drinking.
KW - Errors in Self-Estimation of Breath Alcohol Concentration
KW - Inaccuracy of Perceived Blood Alcohol Concentration Levels
KW - Misperceptions of BAC Self-Estimates
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85021809071&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/acer.13428
DO - 10.1111/acer.13428
M3 - Article
VL - 41
SP - 1492
EP - 1501
JO - Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research
JF - Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research
SN - 0145-6008
IS - 8
ER -