Abstract
Binge drinking (BD) is a common practice among college students. Alcohol consumption has been related to depressive symptoms and certain personality factors, although less is known about the relationship of these variables with BD. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship of BD with depressive symptoms and personality in university students. We performed a cross-sectional study among students (aged 18–30 years) enrolled in the academic year 2018–2019 at the Faculty of Nursing of the University of Cantabria (Spain). Sociodemographic, academic, and alcohol and other drug use information was collected by means of a semi-structured questionnaire. The Beck Depression Inventory-II was used to measure depressive symptomatology and the Neo Five-Factor Inventory was used for personality. A total of 142 participants were included, 88.03% of which were women. Up to 38.03% were classified as BD. Concerning depressive symptoms, 7.41% of BD were at the moderate-severe level compared to 3.41% of non-BD (p = 0.7096). Regarding personality, the median score for extraversion of BD was 35 (Q1 = 29, Q3 = 40), 32 (Q1 = 28, Q3 = 36) in non-BD (p = 0.0062), conscientiousness scored 34 (Q1 = 30.5, Q3 = 38) points in non-BD, 31.50 (Q1 = 27, Q3 = 37) in BD (p = 0.0224). In conclusion, BD students have higher levels of extraversion and lower levels of responsibility than non-BD students. No significant differences were found between the level of depressive symptomatology between BD and non-BD students.
Highlights
In many societies, drinking alcoholic beverages is a common habit
Eighty-eight participants belonged to the non-Binge drinking (BD) group and 54 to the BD group, corresponding to 61.97% and 38.03%, respectively, of the total sample
A higher proportion of women was found in the non-BD group: 92.05% women and 7.95% men, whereas in the BD group there were 81.48% women and 18.52% men, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.0598)
Summary
It is estimated that more than 40% of the world’s population, around 50% in Europe, have consumed alcohol in the past year [1]. The prevalence of alcohol consumption is higher in Spain, where 90% of the population has consumed alcohol at some time in their lives and almost 8 out of 10 individuals have consumed alcohol in the last year [2]. Young adults are frequent consumers of alcohol [3]. It is estimated that 1 in 4 young people between 15 and 19 years of age are alcohol consumers, and this habit is especially prevalent in the WHO European Region. In Spain, approximately 60% of people between 15 and 34 years of age have consumed alcohol in the past 30 days [2]
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