Impulsivity, alcohol use and risky sexual behaviors in college students

Abstract

Alcohol use in college students and related consequences, such as risky sexual behaviors, are a public health issue. Impulsivity is relevant to study alcohol use behaviors. This study aimed to analyze the effect of trait impulsivity (UPPS-P model), age of onset of alcohol use (AOA) and of sexual intercourse (AOS), alcohol use and risky sexual behavior under the influence of alcohol (RSBA). 196 students (71.9% women, M age= 22.46; SD = 2.74) from the National University of Córdoba completed an online survey. We conducted bivariate and multivariate analyzes to examine the relationship between risk factors and RSBA. AOA and AOS had a negative association with RSBA, while alcohol quantity and trait impulsivity was positively associated with RSBA. At the multivariate level, AOA and alcohol quantity directly influenced RSBA. The AOS and sensation seeking had an indirect effect via alcohol quantity. This results provide evidence on the role of early initiation in alcohol use, impulsivity and alcohol use on RSBA in college students. This information can be useful for the development of preventive programs specifically designed for this population.