Negotiating ecstasy risk, reward, and control: a qualitative analysis of drug management patterns among ecstasy-using urban young adults

This paper is based on qualitative in-depth interviews conducted from 2008 to 2009 with 118 ethnically diverse Ecstasy users from the greater Hartford area, CT, USA. Participants were urban, primarily Black and Hispanic, aged 18 to 36, and had limited higher education compared with samples in previous Ecstasy research. Interviews focused on personal background, history of Ecstasy and other drug use, and recent sexual events. In this paper, we examine: participants' negotiation of perceived risks and benefits of Ecstasy use, behavioral strategies employed to minimize risks, and the relationship of risk-benefit analysis, motivation for use, frequency of use, and polydrug use to participants' sense of control over their Ecstasy use. We conclude with recommendations for intervention approaches and suggestions for future research.     

Substance use behaviors among college students with same-sex and opposite-sex experience: results from a national study

OBJECTIVES: This study seeks to describe the population of college students with same-sex sexual experience and determine if these students report more substance use than their peers with only opposite-sex experience. METHODS: Questionnaires were completed by a national random sample of college students on 119 campuses in 1999. A total of 10,301 sexually active students were categorized as having only opposite-sex, only same-sex, or both-sex partners, and their smoking, binge drinking, and marijuana use behaviors were compared. RESULTS: Students who report same-sex sexual experiences comprise 6.1% of respondent. Women with both-sex partners were approximately twice as likely to smoke, binge drink, and use marijuana as women with only opposite-sex partners (OR=1.41-2.78), but women with only same-sex partners were not at increased risk for these behaviors. Men with both-sex partners were less likely to binge drink (OR=0.54) than men with only opposite-sex partners. CONCLUSIONS: Students with same-sex experience are present at every type of college. College women with both-sex partners appear to be an appropriate target for health interventions; outreach to these students and further study of related behaviors are warranted.     

Heavier drinking American college students may self-select into study abroad programs: An examination of sex and ethnic differences within a high-risk group

As with other heavier drinking groups, heavier drinking American college students may self-select into study abroad programs with specific intentions to use alcohol in the foreign environment. This cross-sectional study used a sample of 2144 students (mean age = 20.00, SD = 1.47) to explore differences in alcohol use and related negative consequences among (1) students intending to study abroad while in college, (2) students not intending to study abroad, and (3) students reporting prior study abroad participation. Results revealed that participants with no intention to study abroad drank less and experienced fewer alcohol-related consequences than participants intending to study abroad. In addition, students reporting prior completion of study abroad programs drank more and reported more hazardous alcohol use than those not intending to study abroad. Ethnic and sex differences existed; with White students, males, and females intending to study abroad and non-White students who previously completed study abroad programs demonstrating the most risk. These findings provide empirical support that study abroad students may be a heavier drinking subgroup necessitating intervention prior to beginning programs abroad.     

An examination of the tension reduction hypothesis: the relationship between anxiety and alcohol in college students

The Tension Reduction Theory posits that alcohol is consumed to achieve tension reduction. The drinking patterns of high anxiety college students differed from low anxiety college students. Eighty-one students completed the Trait scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Khavari Alcohol Test (KAT). Several indices of alcohol use derived from the KAT were used to assess patterns of alcohol use. Five two-way analyses of variance were conducted using gender and anxiety as factors. Hypothesis One predicted that there would be a significant difference in alcohol consumption between high and low anxiety students when a comprehensive measure of alcohol use was used. This hypothesis was supported. Hypothesis Two predicted that frequency alone would not differentiate between anxiety levels; this was also supported. The Third Hypothesis was that volume measures of beer, wine and liquor would differentiate between the high and low anxiety levels; this hypothesis was partially supported--beer volume did differentiate between groups, while wine and liquor volume did not. The final hypothesis was that there would be an interaction between gender and anxiety; this was not supported.     

Understanding recreational ecstasy use in the United States: a qualitative inquiry

BackgroundEcstasy use has increasingly become popular among young adults, many of whom view it as a safe drug with no or limited negative social and health consequences. In this paper, we explore the perceptions of ecstasy users about its recreational use as well as regarding the normalisation of use.MethodsThe study participants were recruited using targeted and theoretical sampling. To be eligible, they had to be between 18 and 25 years and have used ecstasy at least four times within the past 90 days. In-depth interviews were conducted with 112 individuals. Data analysis included the constant comparison method commonly used in modified grounded theory.ResultsThe study participants associated their recreational ecstasy use with control, shaping both the timing and setting of their use. In addition, they supported that easy access/availability and social accommodations of use contributed to their acceptance of ecstasy use as a normal part of life. Moreover, low risk perceptions of the social and health consequences of ecstasy used were identified as resulting in normalisation.ConclusionThe study findings reveal the importance of considering recreational ecstasy use from the perspective of the users themselves for prevention efforts and when providing social and health services, including intervention strategies. In addition, the potential normalisation of ecstasy use must be considered.     

Discrimination and alcohol-related problems among college students: a prospective examination of mediating effects

Background

Discrimination is a risk factor for health-risk behaviors, including alcohol abuse. Far less is known about the mechanisms through which discrimination leads to alcohol-related problems, particularly during high-risk developmental periods such as young adulthood.

Methods

The present study tested a mediation model using prospective data from a large, diverse sample of 1539 college students. This model hypothesized that discrimination would be associated with established cognitive (positive alcohol expectancies) and affective (negative affect and coping motives) risk factors for alcohol-related problems, which would account for the prospective association between discrimination and alcohol problems.

Results

Structural equation modeling indicated that discrimination was associated cross-sectionally with negative affect and more coping motives for drinking, but not with greater alcohol expectancies. Coping motives mediated the prospective relationship between discrimination and alcohol-related problems. Additionally, results indicated significant indirect effects from discrimination to alcohol-related problems through negative affect and coping motives. These associations were evident for multiple groups confronting status-based discrimination, including women, racial/ethnic minorities, and lesbian/gay/bisexual individuals.

Conclusions

This study identified potential affective mechanisms linking discrimination to alcohol-related problems. Results suggest several avenues for prevention and intervention efforts with individuals from socially disadvantaged groups.     

The impact of positive and negative ecstasy-related information on ecstasy use among college students: Results of a longitudinal study

AIMS: To: 1) estimate the proportion of students exposed to specific types of information regarding the positive and negative effects of ecstasy, 2) test models that quantified the relationship between exposure to these messages and subsequent ecstasy use, controlling for peer drug use and sensation-seeking. METHODS: As part of the College Life Study, 447 students, ages 17-20, from a university in the mid-Atlantic region of the US completed an in person interview plus three follow-up assessments. FINDINGS: Individuals who had heard a greater number of negative messages were significantly more likely to use ecstasy, even controlling for positive messages, prior ecstasy use, peer ecstasy use, perceived harm, sensation-seeking, sex, and race. Some messages were significant at the bivariate level. CONCLUSIONS: Ecstasy use may have been influenced more by the content of the messages than by the quantity or diversity of messages. Interventions should be designed to address both positive and negative perceptions about a particular drug, rather than focusing exclusively on the negative information. Future evaluations should focus on the effectiveness of multi-pronged sustainable prevention programs in reducing adolescent drug use risk.     

2010-2012年某高校研究生新生体检结果分析

目的 了解高校新生入学时的健康状况,为学校卫生保健工作提供依据.方法 对某高校2010-2012年入学的12 523名研究生新生体检结果进行统计分析.结果 发现影响研究生新生身体健康的主要是近视和谷丙转氨酶（ALT）异常.经统计学分析三年的体质指数构成比无明显差异,视力水平、ALT异常率有统计学意义（P＜0.01）.男生ALT异常率均高于女生,正常体重学生ALT异常率低于超重、肥胖学生.经相关分析,ALT与BMI的相关系数为0.126,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）.结论 对研究生群体的近视和ALT异常的状况应给予足够重视,并积极开展健康教育,做好高校研究生的预防保健工作.     

An experience sampling study of associations between affect and alcohol use and problems among college students

OBJECTIVE: This study used experienced sampling methodology to examine the relationship between affective functioning and alcohol consumption and problems. METHOD: Fifty-six college students provided baseline data on measures of impulsivity and distress tolerance and provided experience sampling data for 2 weeks on measures of negative affect, positive affect, and alcohol consumption and problems. Women made up 54% of the sample. The sample ranged in age from 21 to 23 (mean [SD] = 21.50 [0.57]); 98% were white and 2% were Asian. RESULTS: As predicted, higher levels of both positive and negative affect during the day were associated with higher rates of consumption that night. In contrast, negative, but not positive, affect was associated with alcohol-related problems after controlling for alcohol consumption. Impulsivity was associated with higher consumption and problems and moderated the relationships between negative affect and problems and also between alcohol consumption and problems. Low distress tolerance was associated with a decreased association between positive affectivity and alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS: This study replicated and extended previous research on affective models of alcohol use and problems through the use of experience sampling methodology. The results demonstrated associations between affective variables and alcohol consumption and problems measured through near real-time assessment. The results suggest a functional association between alcohol consumption and problems and both within-person changes in affect and between-person differences in impulsivity and distress tolerance.     

Computer-based interventions for college drinking: a qualitative review

E-interventions, or electronically based interventions, have become increasingly popular in recent years. College alcohol use has been one area in which such interventions have been implemented and evaluated. The purpose of this paper is to review the seventeen randomized controlled trials that have been published as of August 2007. These studies compared the effectiveness of e-interventions with other commonly used techniques, reading materials, and assessment-only control conditions. Overall, findings provide some support for such programs, especially in comparison with assessment-only control conditions. In addition, possible moderators (e.g. baseline drinking patterns) and mediators (e.g. corrected drinking norms) have emerged. Limitations and areas for future research are discussed.     

广州某高校教职工2年健康体检结果对比分析

目的 了解高校教职工的身体健康状况,探讨影响高校教职工健康的主要危害因素,以此为高校预防保健工作提供依据,以便有针对性地进行健康干预,预防疾病发生.方法 采用回顾性分析法对广州某高校教职工2012年、2013年体检结果进行汇总分析.结果 检出率较高的前10种疾病（异常指标）依次为高脂血症、高尿酸、心电图异常、高血压、超重与肥胖、脂肪肝、胆结石、高血糖、肺炎/结核、转氨酶升高.其中半数患有高脂血症、高尿酸、高血压、超重与肥胖、脂肪肝,是与肥胖有关的疾病;2012年检出290人,检出率为82.86％;2013年检出391人,检出率72.27％;较上一年下降了10％.其中高脂血症、高尿酸、高血压、超重与肥胖、脂肪肝,男性检出率明显高于女性,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）;而心电图异常、胆结石、高血糖、肺炎/肺结核、转氨酶升高检出率男女差别不大,无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.结论 2次体检结果均显示该校教职工的健康状况令人担忧.学校应重视教职工的健康状况健康体检,坚持每年体检,加强健康教育,提高教职工的自我保健意识.     

The role of self-consciousness in the experience of alcohol-related consequences among college students

Heavy drinking among college students is a well-established national concern. An in-depth look at the characteristics and traits of heavy drinking students is an essential precursor to the development of successful targeted interventions with at-risk students. The current study examines the role self-consciousness (private, public, social anxiety) plays in the experience of alcohol-related consequences among a sample of 1,168 student members of campus organizations. Male gender predicted drinking in the sample, while both private self-consciousness and social anxiety predicted less drinking. Public self-consciousness predicted alcohol-related consequences over and above the variance explained by drinking for both males and females. Additionally, both gender and social anxiety moderated the effect of drinking on problems. Heavier drinking female students and heavier drinking students high in social anxiety appear more susceptible to the experience of negative consequences. These results highlight the direct and indirect impact that self-consciousness and gender have on college students' experience of alcohol-related negative consequences.     

Perceived drinking norms among black college students: The race of reference group members

Social norms have been consistently shown to influence alcohol use among college students. Much of the research in this area is focused on mostly White samples. This study sought to expand our understanding of social norms theory by examining perceptions of normative alcohol use among Black students and determining the impact of the race of reference group members on personal alcohol use. Participants (N = 130; 73.8% female) completed an online questionnaire. Results of repeated measures of analysis of variance indicated that participants perceived all referent groups (i.e., White, same race, typical student) as drinking significantly more than they did. Results of hierarchical regression analysis indicated that perceptions of typical student drinking significantly predicted personal alcohol use. Implications for practice and research are discussed.     

Child maltreatment,alcohol use and drinking consequences among male and female college students: An examination of drinking motives as mediators

Although the relationship between child maltreatment and alcohol use and drinking problems is well established, the mechanisms involved in this relationship remain largely unknown and research has focused primarily on women. Using the Modified Drinking Motives Questionnaire-Revised (M-DMQ-R; Grant, Stewart, O'Connor, Blackwell & Conrod, 2007), drinking motives were examined as mediators in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and alcohol consumption and consequences among male and female college student drinkers (N = 218, 60.6% women). Participants completed questionnaires assessing child maltreatment, drinking motives, alcohol consumption and alcohol consequences. Enhancement motives in particular mediated the relationship between childhood abuse and alcohol consequences for men, whereas coping-depression motives mediated this relationship for women. Implications of these findings for alcohol interventions and future research are discussed, along with limitations of the present study.     

A daily process examination of episode-specific drinking to cope motivation among college students

ObjectiveTheory suggests that state- and trait-like factors should interact in predicting drinking to cope (DTC) motivation, yet no research to date has demonstrated this at the drinking episode level of analysis. Thus, we examined whether daily variation in positive and negative affect and avoidance and active coping were associated with DTC motivation during discrete drinking episodes and whether these associations were moderated by tension-reduction expectancies and other person-level risk factors.MethodsUsing a secure website, 722 college student drinkers completed a one-time survey regarding their tension reduction expectancies and then reported daily for 30 days on their affect, coping strategies, drinking behaviors and motives for drinking.ResultsIndividuals reported higher levels of DTC motivation on days when negative affect and avoidance coping were high and positive affect was low. We found only little support for the predicted interactive effects among the day- and person-level predictors.ConclusionOur results support the state and trait conceptualizations of DTC motivation and provide evidence for the antecedent roles of proximal levels of daily affect and avoidance coping. Our inconsistent results for interaction effects including day-level antecedents raise the possibility that some of these synergistic processes might not generalize across level of analysis.