Can Frat Brothers Be Taught To Drink Less? Fraternity Members Are Immune To Alcohol Intervention, Study Says

College students part of fraternities or sororities have shown immunity to alcohol interventions according to a new analysis of a two-decade worth of data. These fraternity members are less likely to reduce their alcohol consumption even after intervention.

Alcohol Intervention Immunity

A new analysis published by the American Psychological Association reveals that college students involved in fraternities and sororities exhibit an impressive amount of immunity when it comes to alcohol intervention, Daily Mail reported. Worse, some fraternity brothers are found to drink more after an intervention.

Researchers at Brown University Medical School and Rhode Island's Miriam Hospital published a study in Health Psychology showing that fraternity brothers are unlikely to change their minds after attending an alcohol education seminar. Based on 15 previous studies conducted between 1987 and 2015, there was no difference between students who undergone interventions and those who didn't

"Current intervention methods appear to have limited effectiveness in reducing alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems among fraternity and possibly sorority members," Washington Times quoted lead researcher Lori Scott-Sheldon in a statement. Scott-Sheldon is an associate professor at the Brown University Medical School and a senior scientist at the Miriam Hospital.

What Led The Researchers To This Hypothesis?

Pulse Headlines said that the 15 different studies involved data from 6,000 fraternity members and sororities. The data include a one-on-one interview with college students that almost lasted for an hour. During this time, students learned alcohol education including risk factors of alcohol consumption.

The results show that fraternity members may have what psychologist call "sleeper effect", which gives out results in longer time frames. More so, researchers believe that the intervention falls on deaf ears since Greek culture associates sexual and social success to drinking.

Additionally, based on the explanations provided by the students, drinking has improved their social and sexual life. Since interventions are not effective on fraternity brothers, it is suggested that stronger interventions may be needed. 

"Stronger interventions may need to be developed for student members of Greek-letter organizations," Scott-Sheldon said. Meanwhile, the data was too small to make a conclusion about sorority girls. 

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism said that more than 1,800 college students died from drink-related causes in 2014. More so, many universities are fighting off the effects of uncontrollable drinking such as sexual abuse while on campus.

What do approach should be done to address this problem? Let us know through your comments below. Meanwhile, check out this video to know more about the effects of alcohol to your body.