The Sisterhood Paradox: Leadership Learning, Thriving, and Risk in Sorority Communities.

Abstract

This article examines the association between perceived social sisterhood and alcohol consumption, binge drinking, hazing tolerance, and hazing rationale among sorority members at a large public university in the Southeast. It provides implications for leadership educators and organizational advisors, focusing on the essential nature of leadership education as a tool for prevention education. The study used a repeated cross-sectional design across four academic years (2021-2024), pooled ordinary least squares regression models with chapter fixed effects were estimated for a sample of 11,832 sorority members across 25 chapters. Findings support the theoretical argument that shared social sisterhood functions as a double-edge sword; a sisterhood that fosters connection and community while increasing behavioral risk.