The influences of family and social factors, and impulsiveness on problematic drinking among college students

Abstract

Background: Excessive alcohol consumption produces adverse physical and mental health consequences generally, including college and university students. A variety of risk factors the alcohol consumption have been addressed for college students generally, however only a few studies have focused specifically on Chinese college students. This article reports on a study which investigated factors influencing the current situation of Chinese college student alcohol consumption.Methods: A stratified, random-cluster sampling approach was used on 907 students from a Changsha, Hunan university. All participants completed a general information questionnaire, an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test scale, a drinking expectations questionnaire, and a Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 questionnaire.Results: It found that 65.2 % students reported consuming alcohol in the prior calendar year that 11.2 % reported hazardous and harmful drinking behaviors. Univariate analysis showed the following significantly associated with the incidence of hazardous and harmful drinking behavior: 1) male older than 20; 2) having monthly living expenses [do you mean an expense allowance as in “income or expenses, outgo?] of more 1,000 Y (OR = 2.855); 3) smoking (OR = 3.490); 4) A mother's neutral attitude to toward child’s alcohol consumption (OR = 1.439); 5) positive peer attitude towards alcohol consumption at college; 6) neutral peer attitude towards alcohol consumption at college; 7) peer rate of alcohol consumption; and, 8) high impulsivity levels.Conclusion: A variety of factors including family, peers, and impulsive personality traits affect college student drinking behavior. Education efforts regarding alcohol-related health and targeted interventions may reduce the college student drinking behavior.