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Deconstructing the Alcohol-Sport Paradox: Why Do Student Athletes Misuse Alcohol and How Can We Change Behaviour?

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The Palgrave Handbook of Psychological Perspectives on Alcohol Consumption

Abstract

There is evidence that student athletes are at risk of heavy episodic drinking. This initially appears to be a paradox, in that athletic pursuits promote health yet may also increase the likelihood of engaging in health risk behaviours like harmful alcohol consumption levels, however, the culture of student sport offers potential explanations. Whilst student athletes share some similarities with their non-athlete peers, in terms of their disposition and cognitive or motivational factors it is clear that there are additional identity and socio-cultural factors associated with being a student athlete that are different to the general student experience. Existing interventions targeting a reduction in alcohol consumption have been relatively unsuccessful at changing drinking behaviour so there is a need for further research to identify the best way to bring about changes.

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Correspondence to Sarah Partington .

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Partington, S., Partington, E. (2021). Deconstructing the Alcohol-Sport Paradox: Why Do Student Athletes Misuse Alcohol and How Can We Change Behaviour?. In: Cooke, R., Conroy, D., Davies, E.L., Hagger, M.S., de Visser, R.O. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Psychological Perspectives on Alcohol Consumption. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66941-6_12

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