Abstract:
This study sought to establish and explore the effects of alcoholism on students’ academic
performance, particularly class attendance, class participation, and grades in
quizzes/examinations. One hundred and fifty-seven first year students of University of the
Philippines Manila were randomly selected to participate in this cross-sectional study. After
obtaining their informed consent, a survey questionnaire which explored their beliefs and
attitudes towards drinking, nature of drinking behavior, type of drinking behavior, and effects
of alcohol drinking on academic performance, was administered. Of the 157 survey
respondents, 37 were classified as light drinkers, 101 respondents were moderate drinkers and
19 were classified as heavy drinkers. The data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical
methods. The results indicated that there is statistically significant difference on the degree of
performance in exams and degree of absenteeism (Sig.= 0.031 and 0.000) that existed among
the light, moderate, and heavy drinkers. Out of the 19 heavy drinkers, 14 were reported to
have absences due to their drinking behavior compared to the 33 out of 37 light drinkers who
were never absent because of their drinking behavior. However, class participation showed
no significant difference among the three types of drinkers. As a conclusion, despite the
negative relationship on class participation among light, moderate, and heavy drinkers, a
significant effect on the students’ academic performance was brought about by their drinking
behavior.
