Abstract
The typical college campus community is potentially hazardous to the health and well-being of its members. In the interest of informing the process of intervention program planning, this article considers the etiology of violence in the college and university setting. Beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors which may predispose, enable, and reinforce violence are explored. Particular attention is given to these factors as they pertain to the relationship between alcohol consumption and the risk of being the perpetrator as well as the victim of violence. In light of all these factors, suggestions for primary prevention and intervention efforts are made. A social-ecological model, inclusive of intrapersonal, situational, and environmental aspects of the dilemma is introduced, and recommendations are made about how to curb the irresponsible use of alcohol.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abbey, A. (1991). Acquaintance rape and alcohol consumption on college campuses: How are they linked?J. Am. College Health 39(4): 165–169.
Aramburu, B., and Leigh, B. (1991). For better or worse: Attributions about drunken aggression toward male and female victims.Violence Victims 6(1): 31–41.
Bausell, R., Bausell, C. and Siegal, D. (1991).The Links Among Alcohol, Drugs and Crime on American College Campuses: A National Followup Study. Business Publishers, Silverspring, MD.
Berkowitz, A. (1992). College men as perpetrators of acquaintance rape and sexual assault: A review of recent research.J. Am. College Health 40: 175–181.
Bhirdo, K. (1989). The liability and responsibility of institutions of higher education for the on-campus victimization of students.J. College University Law 16(1): 119–135.
Bohmer, C., and Parrot, A. (1993).Sexual Assault on Campus, Lexington Books, New York.
Brown, V., and DeCoster, D. (1989). The disturbed and disturbing student. In Unsworth, U. (ed.),Dealing with the Behavioral and Psychological Problems of Students, New Directions for Student Services, 45, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA., pp. 43–56.
Campus Violence Prevention Center (1990).1990 National Campus Violence Survey, Towson State University, Towson, MD.
Cassel, B., Davies, H., DiLapi, E., Goodman, D., and Kaplan, B. (February, 1992). Building Community Intolerance to Rape: A Practical Guide to Policy Development and Implementation. Paper presented at the Sixth National Conference on Campus Violence, Baltimore, MD.
Chickering, A. (1984).Education and Identity, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA.
Clinton pushes anti-crime bill in Yale speech, radio address (October 10, 1993).Providence J. A-4.
Cowan, R., Deering, D., Gram, M., Judith, C., Smith, M., and Sordo, O. (1981). Rape: A university/community intervention model.J. Am. College Health 29(4): 241–242.
Eigen, L. (1991).Alcohol Practices, Policies, and Potentials of American Colleges and Universities (White paper), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Substance Abuse Prevention, Rockville, MD.
Estabrook, B., Dumas, M., Fessenden, R., and McBridge, C. T. (1978). Rape on campus: Community education and services for victims.J. Am. College Health 27: 72–74.
Fromuth, M. (1986). The relationship of childhood sexual abuse with later psychological and sexual adjustment in a sample of college women.Child Neglect Abuse 10: 5–15.
Gallagher, R., Bruner, L., and Lingenfelter, C. (1993).National Survey of Counseling Center Directors, International Association of Counseling Services, Alexandria, VA.
Gannon, J. (1989).Soul Survivors: A New Beginning for Adults Abused as Children. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
Garrett-Gooding, J., & Senter, R. (1987). Attitudes and acts of sexual aggression on a university campus.Sociol. Inquiry 59: 348–371.
George, W., Gournic, S., and McAfee, M. (1988). Perceptions of post-drinking female sexuality: Effects of gender, beverage choice, and drink payment.J. Appl. Soc. Psychol. 18: 1295–1317.
Gilligan, C. (1982).In a Different Voice, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.
Hanson, D., Turbett, P., and Whelehan, P. (1986). Interpersonal violence: Addressing the problem on a college campus. Proceedings of University Symposium on Personal Safety, State University of New York, Albany, NY.
Hoffman, E. (March 17, 1986). Rape and the college athlete: Part one.Philadelphia Daily News 104.
Johnston, L., O'Malley, P., and Bachman, J. (1991).Drug Use Among American High School Seniors, College Students, and Young Adults, 1975–1990, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD.
Kanin, E. (1967). An examination of sexual aggression as a response to sexual frustration.J. Marriage Family 29: 428–433.
Kantor, G. K., & Straus, M. (1987). The “drunken bum” theory of wife beating.Soc. Problems 34: 213–231.
Koss, M., Gidicz, C., and Wisniewski, N. (1987). The scope of rape: Incidence and prevalence of sexual aggression and victimization in a national sample of higher education students.J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 55(2): 162–170.
Lang, A., Adesso, V., Geockner, D., and Marlatt, G. (1975). Effects of alcohol on aggression in male social drinkers.J. Abnorm. Psychol. 84: 508–518.
Loomis, R. (1986). A campus educational program to combat stereotyping. Proceedings of University Symposium on Personal Safety, State University of New York, Albany, NY.
Makepeace, J. (1981). Courtship violence among college students.Family Relat. 30: 97–102.
Martin, P., and Hummer, R. (1989). Fraternities and rape on campus.Gender Soc. 3(4): 457–473.
May, R. (1988). The developmental journey of the male college student. In May, R., and Scher, M. (eds.),Changing Roles for Men on Campus, New Directions for Student Services, 42, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA, pp. 5–18.
Miller, B., Downs, W., and Testa, M. (August, 1990). Relationship Between Women's Alcohol Problems and Experiences of Childhood Violence. Paper presented at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Boston, MA.
Miller, T., Cohen, M., and Rossman, S. (Winter, 1993). Victim costs of violent crime and resulting injuries.Health Affairs 186–197.
Mills, K., Neal, M., and Peed-Neal, I. (1983).A Handbook for Alcohol Education: The Community Approach, Ballinger Publishing, Cambridge, MA.
Moseley, G., DeGidio, J., Drayton, C., and Hoop, B. (February, 1992). Promoting Civility on Campus. Paper presented at the Sixth National Conference on Campus Violence, Baltimore, MD.
Newman, J. (August, 1991). Drug and Alcohol Related Crime on College Campuses: View from a Plaintiff's lawyer. Paper presented at the Meeting of CASE District I Crisis Communication Workshop, Providence College, Providence, RI.
Palmer, C. (1993).Violent Crimes and Other Forms of Victimization in Residence Halls, College Administration Publications, Ashville, NC.
Peele, S. (1989).The Diseasing of America: Addiction Treatment out of Control, Heath Publishing, Lexington, MA.
Perry, W. (1968)Forms of Intellectual and Ethical Development in the College Years, Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, NY.
Pihl, R. O. (1983). Alcohol and aggression: A psychological perspective. In Gottheil, E., Druley, K., Skolada, T., and Waxman, H. (eds.),Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Aggression, Charles Thomas, Springfield, IL, pp. 292–313.
Rapaport, K., & Burkhart, B. (1984). Personality and attitudinal characteristics of sexually coercive males.J. Abnorm. Ppsychol. 93(2): 216–221.
Roark, M. (1987). Preventing violence on college campuses.J. Counsel. Devel. 65: 367–371.
Root, M. (April, 1994). Richard J. Gelles, PhD.: Family violence expert discusses changing trends.Health Care Professional Magazine 6–11.
Smith, M. (1990). College liability resulting from campus crime: Resurrection for in loco parentis?West's Educ. Law Report. 59(1): 1–5.
Snell, J., Robey, A., and Rosenwald, R. (1964). The wifebeater's wife.Arch. Gen. Psychiat. 11: 107–112.
Steele, C., and Josephs, R. (1990). Alcohol myopia: Its prized and dangerous effects.Am. Psychol. 45(8): 921–933.
Sugarman, D., and Hotaling, G. (1989). Dating violence: Prevalence, context, and risk markers. In Pirog-Good, M., and Stets, J. (eds.),Violence in Dating Relationships, Praeger, New York, pp. 4–32.
Tarasoff V. Board of Regents, State of California, 1976.
Thompson, W., and Riley, T. (February, 1992). Successful Application of Housing Access Control and Safety System for Nearly 7,000 Students. Paper presented at the Sixth National Conference on Campus Violence, Baltimore, MD.
Upcraft, M., & Welty, J. (1990).A Guide for College Presidents and Governing Boards: Strategies for Eliminating Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse on Campuses, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, Washington, D.C.
Walters, J., McKellar, A., Lipton, M., and Karme, L. (1981). What are the pros and cons of co-ed dorms?Med. Aspects Human Sexuality 15(8): 48–56.
Widom, C. (1989). Does violence breed violence? A critical examination of the literature.Psychol. Bull. 106: 3–28.
Witchel, R. (1991). The impact of dysfunctional families on college student's development. In Witchel, R. (ed.),Dealing with Students with Dysfunctional Families, New Directions for Student Services, 54, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA, pp. 5–17.
Worth, D., Coleman, W., and Matthews, P. (1990). Sex role, group affiliation, family background, and courtship violence in college students.J. College Student Devel. 31: 250–253.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pezza, P.E., Bellotti, A. College campus violence: Origins, impacts, and responses. Educ Psychol Rev 7, 105–123 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02214209
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02214209