The association between drinking motives and alcohol-related harms among university students in Wales: a survey across seven universities

Background: There has been little research on the association between drinking motives and alcohol-related harms among university students outside of the immediate physiological and behavioural effects of alcohol use. Much less is known about broader causes and consequences of excessive alcohol use and its impact on university life. The aim of the current research is to add to knowledge by providing contemporary findings on drinking motives among a national sample of university students.

Methods: Seven of the nine universities in Wales agreed to take part in the survey. The questionnaire included an open-ended question that asked students about their reasons for drinking alcohol.

Results: The quantitative analysis showed that about one-third of users said that they or somebody else had been injured because of their drinking and between 10 per cent and 15 per cent of students said that they had been in a fight during or after drinking. The qualitative analysis revealed that coping motives were often linked to stresses relating to university life and a pervasive social drinking culture.

Conclusion: The current research provides new evidence on the possible causes of drinking motives and their independent effect on alcohol-related harms. In particular, the paper examines the role of universities in generating negative drinking motives through maintenance of a pro-drinking student culture and generation of administrative pressures and work-related stress     

Depression and problem drinking among college students in the Republic of Korea: the mediating role of protective behavioral strategies

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the mediating effects of protective behavioral strategies (PBS) on the association between depression and problem drinking among Korean college students.

Methods: For this study, we analyzed secondary survey data collected to enhance the understanding of drinking behavior among Korean college students. The study sample consisted of 447 college students who had consumed alcohol at least one time during the month prior to the survey. To examine the mediating effects of PBS, structural equation modeling analysis was performed; as part of this effort, (a) model fit was examined, (b) the model was modified to improve fit statistics, and (c) standardized indirect, direct, and total effects of depression on problem drinking were estimated.

Results: PBS was a significant mediator explaining the association between depression and problem drinking. We found that college students with greater depression were less likely to use PBS, which resulted in increased risk of problem drinking.

Conclusions: Given the significant mediating effect of PBS on the association between depression and problem drinking, it would be advantageous to implement interventions that motivate depressed college students to use PBS when drinking alcohol in order to prevent or reduce the risk of problem drinking.     

Proportion as a metric of problematic alcohol-energy drink consumption in college students

Background: Alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) is linked to deleterious drinking, particularly within college students. However, measurement and methodological concerns complicate a more thorough understanding of how AmED contributes to problematic alcohol consumption. This study examined AmED proportion (i.e., percentage of overall drinking events involving AmED consumption) as a metric for differentiating problematic alcohol use and tested the utility for explaining additional risk of alcohol-related problems beyond overall alcohol involvement. Methods: Self-report data were collected from a diverse sample of AmED consumers from two west-coast U.S. universities (N = 458; 60.1% female; 31.4% White). Participants were divided into three AmED proportion groups: low (25% or less of all drinking events), moderate (about 50%), or high (75% or more), and assessed for overall alcohol use and related consequences. Results: The groups did not differ on demographics or recent alcohol use. However, high proportion users reported significantly more alcohol-related problems than the low and moderate groups, even after controlling for overall alcohol involvement. However, proportion did not differentiate at-risk drinking as measured by cut-scores of the AUDIT. Conclusions: Findings provide support for proportion as metric for differentiating alcohol-related problems within AmED consumers. Implications for future research and interventions were discussed.     

Multiple risk factors: prevalence and correlates of alcohol,tobacco and other drug (ATOD) use among university students in Egypt

Abstract

There is a lack of research on Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) use in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR). We assessed four ATOD behaviors (risk factors; smoking, alcohol consumption behavior, one’s own illicit drug/s use, friend’s illicit drug/s use), two mental health indicators (depressive symptoms, perceived stress), two socio-demographic features (gender, age) and two policy variables (agree with smoking and alcohol bans at university). A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 3258 students at 11 faculties of Assiut University in Egypt (2009–2010). As for ATOD individual risk factors, about 8.8% of the participants smoked cigarettes (occasionally or daily), 3.8% reported “high frequency” alcohol use (a few times each week, every day and a few times each day), 4.5% had ever used illicit drugs, and 15.3% had a friend who used illicit drug/s. For ATOD multiple risk factors, 28.5% of the sample reported any ATOD risk factor, and 8.7% of the sample reported ≥2 risk factors, and the frequencies were significantly higher among males. Depressive symptoms were positively associated with illicit drug/s use and with having a friend/s who use illicit drug/s. Smoking was positively associated with one’s illicit drug/s use, but negatively associated with having a friend who use illicit drug/s. Higher frequency of alcohol use was positively associated with illicit drug/s use. Age and perceived stress were not associated with any of ATOD variables. These findings contribute to lack of research on ATOD use across the EMR, and provide a platform for planning prevention/intervention policies.     

Factors predictive of alcohol consumption among senior high school students in Phayao province,Thailand

Abstract

Objectives: To identify factors predictive of alcohol consumption among senior high school students in Phayao province, Thailand, where there is a high prevalence of alcohol consumption among adolescents.

Methods: A cross-sectional study in which 317 grade 11 senior high school students participated in a survey during June 2012. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews. Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine the factors predictive of alcohol consumption among the subjects.

Results: Over two-thirds of the students (66.9%) had consumed alcohol in their lifetime, 58.7% in the previous year and 17.4% in the previous month. Following univariate analysis, seven factors – gender, age, GPA, allowance, first age of drinking, peer drinking and alcohol knowledge were identified as being significantly associated with drinking (p?<?0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed four factors to be predictive of alcohol among high school students: peer drinking (OR?=?3.59, 95%CI?=?1.99–6.44), alcohol knowledge (OR?=?2.64, 95%CI?=?1.47–4.72), GPA?≥?2.5 (OR?=?0.32, 95%CI?=?0.16–0.64) and allowance (OR?=?0.15, 95%CI?=?0.04–0.58).

Conclusion: Peer drinking was the strongest predictor of adolescent alcohol consumption, while alcohol knowledge had negative correlation with alcohol consumption. Hence, peer influence and appropriate alcohol knowledge should be considered as key areas in attempts to reduce alcohol consumption among senior high school students.     

An examination of alcohol and drug use among urban college students

This study examines factors associated with alcohol and recreational drug use among urban college students. Undergraduate students at an urban college (n = 372) in New York City completed questionnaires assessing alcohol and drug use, depression and anxiety symptoms, and delinquent behaviors. Forty-two per cent of the respondents were Hispanic, 25.3% were African-American and 18.8% were Caucasian. Alcohol and drug users were found to have higher levels of delinquency than non-users. There was no relationship between ethnicity, the number of substances used and depression, anxiety, or delinquency. These findings are discussed as they pertain to prevention and intervention programs tailored to address the unique needs of this growing population.     

Patterns of alcohol consumption and factors influencing problematic drinking among Angolan soldiers

Alcohol prevention strategies for soldiers in sub-Saharan African countries suffer from limited knowledge about soldiers' alcohol consumption patterns. The present study was conducted to understand such patterns in Angolan soldiers, including associated risk and protective factors. From 12 military bases, 568 soldiers completed structured interviews that assessed demographic information, level of alcohol consumption, mental health, social support and religious activity. Logistic regressions were used to determine factors associated with any alcohol intake, problematic drinking, binge drinking and alcohol consumption prior to sexual activity. Nearly 35%% of participants exhibited problematic drinking behaviour on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Approximately 26%% reported at least one incidence of binge drinking during the past year; 16%% described having recently consumed alcohol before sexual activity. Risk factors included being older, being unmarried, having poorer mental health or increased number of traumatic events and socialising with family and friends two to four times a month. Attending religious services more than once a week appeared to protect against problematic drinking. Results emphasise the need for effective alcohol prevention campaigns in Angola and for targeting efforts towards individuals exhibiting the observed high-risk characteristics.     

The use of electronic assistive technology for social networking by people with disability living in shared supported accommodation

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to examine use of electronic assistive technology for social networking by people with disability living in shared supported accommodation (SSA), and compare participants’ Electronic Social Networking (ESN) integration with Australian ESN normative data.

Method: Telephone surveys and the ESN subscale of the Community Integration Questionnaire-Revised (CIQ-R) were administered with SSA managers. Surveys gathered demographic data, and data on Internet access, technology use and ESN integration, of 91 people with disability who were identified technology users and living in SSA. Participant ESN data were then matched with existing CIQ-R ESN normative data (N?=?359). Relative risk of reduced ESN integration was calculated.

Results: This study identified that, despite access to mainstream technologies, people with disability living in SSA experience low ESN integration, and use ESN for social contact less than other Australians. This group were 210% more likely to report reduced ESN integration than the matched normative sample when key demographic variables were held constant.

Conclusions: Factors related to disability, including high care and support needs and greater time spent completing essential activities of daily living (such as personal care), may explain the low electronic social networking integration for people with disability living in SSA identified in this study. Further research that examines factors that influence ESN access and use following disability is necessary to inform practice to bridge the digital divide that exists between this group and other Australians.     

Predictors of hostility among university students in Jordan

Scand J Caring Sci; 2010; 24; 125–130
Predictors of hostility among university students in Jordan
Objective:  The study aimed at examining predictors of hostility among university students in Jordan.
Methods:  Two-step multiple hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between hostility, perceived stress, perceived social support, depression, moral commitment, life satisfaction and optimism utilizing data collected from 428 university students were recruited from six different universities in Jordan.
Results:  Life satisfaction, depression and perceived stress were significant predictors of hostility among university students (p < 0.05). Life satisfaction was inversely related, whereas depression and perceived stress were positively related to hostility. Male and female university students were not different in their hostility scores.
Conclusion:  Assessment of psychosocial well being is an important component to manage hostility among university students. The importance of psychosocial well being is highlighted and implications for mental health nurses and professionals are presented.     

Health-promoting behaviors and psychosocial well-being of university students in Hong Kong

The objective of this study was to examine health-promoting behaviors and psychosocial well-being of university students in Hong Kong. A cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sample (n = 247) of students recruited at various locations on campus. The Chinese version of the Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II; S. Walker, K. Sechrist, & N. Pender, 1995) was given to students as a questionnaire. Relatively few university students had a sense of "health responsibility" (6.5-27.1%), engaged in any form of physical activity (31.2%), or exercised regularly (13.8%). Less than half ate fruits (35.2%) and vegetables (48.9%) every day. Positive personal growth was reported by 50.6% of the students; 42.5% used stress-management skills and 74.1% rated their interpersonal relationships as meaningful and fulfilling. Students' scores on the health responsibility, nutritional habits, spiritual growth, interpersonal relations, or stress-management subscales of the HPLP-II did not differ significantly by gender, but males scored better than females (p = 0.001) on the physical exercise subscale. This study provides information on gender differences and specific needs of students which can help university administrators, curriculum planners, and community health professionals design guidelines for structuring a healthier environment and developing health education programs that support healthy choices among university students.     

某高校医学生健康危险行为调查研究

目的：了解医学生健康危险行为发生现状和特征,为制订预防和控制大学生健康危险行为的发生、提高其身心健康水平提供一定的理论依据。方法：采用计算机辅助自填问卷的方法,以＂中国青少年健康相关行为调查问卷（大学）＂对山西省某医学高校516名学生进行匿名调查。结果：共调查医学高校三年级学生516名（男生210名、女生306名）,调查结果显示,近90%的学生喜欢吃甜点,超过一半的学生经常喝饮料,并有近10%的学生在过去1周里吃早餐不足3 d甚至是从不吃早餐;11.4%和41.1%的学生有吸烟和饮酒行为,尤其是男生;男生网络成瘾和参加过类似赌博的娱乐性活动的比例（14.3%和11.9%）明显高于女生（1.6%和2.6%）（χ2=31.5和18.0,P〈0.000 1）;女生则在过去一年里考虑过离家出走和自杀的比例较高（16.3%和13.1%）,明显高于男生（8.6%和7.1%）（χ2=4.60和6.57,P〈0.05）。结论：大学生健康危险行为不容忽视,应采取有效措施降低大学生健康危险行为的发生,进一步提高大学生的身心健康水平。     

大学生近视群体眼镜消费现状的调查分析

[目的]了解在校大学生近视群体眼镜消费现状。[方法]自行设计调查问卷,利用便利抽样法对175名大学生进行大学生近视群体眼镜消费现状调查。[结果]大学生关于眼镜消费的基本知识的正确率为67.86%;56.88%的学生购买眼镜花费在200元左右,88.13%的人比较注重镜片的质量和镜框的舒适度。[结论]学校与社会应共同努力,向大学生群体宣传近视保健及正确配镜的知识,以提高大学生近视群体自我保健意识,培养大学生的健康消费行为。     

高职护生社交焦虑与应对方式、社会支持的关系研究

[目的]探讨应对方式、社会支持对高社交焦虑高职护生的影响。[方法]采用社交焦虑量表、简易应对方式量表和社会支持评定量表对494名高职护生进行调查。[结果]高职护生社交焦虑总分为（40.57±5.96）分,高焦虑护生占14.4%,社交焦虑现象严重。高社交焦虑与主观支持呈负相关（r=-0.314）。二分类 Logistic 回归分析显示,高职护生采用积极应对越多、消极应对越少时遭受高社交焦虑的可能性越小。[结论]培养护生积极的应对方式,纠正其消极应对方式,通过建立护生良好的主观支持促进其形成积极的应对方式,将有利于降低高社交焦虑水平。     

The influence of a health education programme on healthy lifestyles and practices among university students

Abu-Moghli FA, Khalaf IA, Barghoti FF. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16 : 35–42
The influence of a health education programme on healthy lifestyles and practices among university students
This study aimed at exploring the lifestyles of university students, the relationship between specific demographical variables and health practices and the role of training in improving these practices. An experimental and a comparison group were selected using the convenient sampling method. Two 5-day training programmes on healthy lifestyles were conducted. Self-reported behaviours of both groups were assessed before and after the programme. The results reflected slightly positive health practices related to the three behavioural categories with the type of diet being the highest and physical activity being the lowest. No significant differences were reflected in relation to the selected variables. A positive influence of training on improving health behaviours of university students related to the three behavioural categories was observed. Results suggest a similar course to be included as a university elective and students' involvement in available extra curricular activities be encouraged.