Dressing in costume and the use of alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs by college students

Adolescence, Spring, 1993 by Kimberly A. Miller, Cynthia R. Jasper, Donald R. Hill

INTRODUCTION

Halloween is a major social event on many college campuses, one often celebrated by dressing in costume. Hill and Relethford (1979) found that approximately 75% of the students on two northeastern campuses participated in Halloween activities, and of those, 85% wore a costume.

In spite of the extensive participation of college students in Halloween activities, previous researchers have not addressed various issues related to the celebration, such as the use of alcohol and other drugs. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the use of Halloween costumes by college students and its relationship with the use of alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs. Also investigated was whether alcohol and other drug use was related to the extent to which the students' identity was disguised, and whether they masqueraded with a group.

Dress behavior and its relationship to the self has been studied extensively (Stone, 1962; Eicher, 1981; Joseph, 1986; Wilson, 1985; Jasper & Roach-Higgins, 1988; Miller, 1990; Miller, Jasper, & Hill, 1991). George Herbert Mead laid the groundwork for the study of the self, and his findings were built upon by Stone (1962) and Goffman (1959), who related the self to dress and appearance. Eicher (1981), building on Stone's work, proposed a theoretical framework for viewing dress and the communication of the parts of the self. Eicher proposed that individuals dress for reality, fun, and fantasy, while communicating the public, intimate, and secret selves, respectively. Thus, the use of alcohol and other drugs is only one type of behavior that may be related to dressing in costume. In another study by Miller, Jasper, and Hill (1991), costume was studied in relation to its effect on the perception of identity and role at Halloween.

The use of alcohol and other drugs by college students is well documented (Tobias & Wax, 1973; Kandel, 1980; Wechsler & Rohman, 1981; Meyer, 1986; Patterson, Meyers, & Gallant, 1988; Carlson & Davis, 1988; Carmody, 1990). Various aspects of the use of alcohol and drugs within the college setting have been examined, including drinking patterns among college fraternities (Kodman & Sturmak, 1984), peer pressure associated with drinking (Shore & Rivers, 1985), college adjustment problems and attitudes toward drinking (Kleinke & Hinrichs, 1983), and demographic variables and recreational substance use among college students (Carlson & Davis, 1988).

In addition, governmental studies regarding the use of alcohol and other drugs have been conducted. They show that in 1988, 90% of persons 18 to 25 years of age had tried alcohol, and 65% were considered current users. Fifty-six percent of persons in the same age group had tried marijuana, and 15% were considered current users. (Current users were defined as those who used drugs at least once during the month prior to the study.) Other drugs reported as having been used at least once by those 18 to 25 years of age were hallucinogens (14%), cocaine (20%), stimulants (11%), and sedatives (5%) (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1990, p. 122). Clifford, Edmundson, Koch, and Dodd (1989) contend that "although estimates concerning the prevalence of various forms of substance abuse vary considerably, it is critical to note that even the more conservative estimates indicate a major public health problem". However, research linking the use of alcohol and other drugs with college students' dress and their participation at special occasions, such as Halloween, is lacking. Yet the way students choose to present themselves has been documented as a reflection of the way they wish to identify their role within the college setting (Lind & Roach-Higgins, 1985). In addition, the way others act toward a college student is influenced by that student's dress and appearance. Thus, the way college students attire themselves shapes both their behavior and that of persons who interact with them (Bushman, 1988).

When students dress in a Halloween costume, they often gain anonymity, which may provide them with an opportunity to use alcohol and other drugs. As Joseph (1986) notes, "the characteristic of a costume that differentiates it from all other forms of apparel is its open proclamation of departures in behavior. Whereas ordinary dress and uniforms declare their wearer's group affiliations and statuses, costume announces that the wearer is stepping out of character and into a new constellation of imaginary or unusual social relationships". Therefore, the present study investigated the extent to which college students use alcohol and other drugs within a "party type" setting such as Halloween and whether their choice of dress influences their drug-related behavior.

Within the college setting, experimentation with and acceptance of alcohol and other drugs are often associated with social activities, such as parties, where peer pressure can contribute to the use of these substances. In addition, one might expect college students to be more likely to use alcohol and other drugs within a group setting. However, Wechsler and Rohman (1981), in a study of drug use among college students, did not find a relationship between marijuana use and participation in extracurricular activities, such as special interest clubs, sororities and fraternities, or sports.