Alcohol Consumption In University Students Research Articles

A Brief Intervention With Instant Messaging or Regular Text Messaging Support in Reducing Alcohol Use

Alcohol use is prevalent among university students. Mobile instant messaging apps could enhance the effectiveness of an alcohol brief intervention (ABI), but the evidence is scarce. To evaluate the effectiveness of an ABI plus 3 months of mobile chat-based instant messaging support for alcohol reduction in university students at risk of alcohol use disorder. In this randomized clinical trial, 772 students at risk of alcohol use disorder (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test [AUDIT] score ≥8) were recruited from 8 universities in Hong Kong between October 15, 2020, and May 12, 2022. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to either the intervention or control group. Both groups received the same ABI at baseline, which consisted of face-to-face or video conferencing with research nurses who delivered personalized feedback based on the participant's AUDIT risk level, along with a 12-page booklet describing the benefits of alcohol reduction and the harmful effects of alcohol on health and social well-being. The intervention group then received 3 months of chat-based instant messaging support on alcohol reduction guided by behavioral change techniques. The control group received 3 months of short message service (SMS) messaging on general health topics. All outcomes were self-reported. The primary outcome was alcohol consumption in grams per week at 6 months of follow-up. By definition, 1 alcohol unit contains 10 g of pure alcohol. Secondary outcomes at the 6-month follow-up included changes in AUDIT score, weekly alcohol consumption, intention to drink in the next 30 days, drinking frequency and any binge or heavy drinking in the past 30 days, and self-efficacy of quitting drinking. The primary analysis followed the intention-to-treat principle, and linear regression (reported as unstandardized coefficient B) and logistic regression (reported as odds ratios) were used to compare the primary and secondary outcomes between the intervention and control groups. The study included 772 students (mean [SD] age, 21.1 [3.5] years; 395 females [51.2%]) who were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n = 386) or control (n = 386) group. In the intention-to-treat analysis, the intervention group had lower alcohol consumption in grams per week (B, -11.42 g [95% CI, -19.22 to -3.62 g]; P = .004), a lower AUDIT score (B, -1.19 [95% CI, -1.63 to -0.34]; P = .003), reduced weekly alcohol unit consumption (B, -1.14 [95% CI, -1.92 to -0.36]; P = .004), and less intention to drink (odds ratio, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.47 to 0.92]; P = .01) at the 6-month follow-up compared with the control group. In analyses adjusted for baseline characteristics, interacting at least once with the research nurse on the instant messaging application resulted in lower estimated alcohol consumption in grams per week (adjusted B, -17.87 g [95% CI, -32.55 to -3.20 g]; P = .01), lower weekly alcohol unit consumption (adjusted B, -1.79 [95% CI, -3.25 to -0.32]; P = .02), and a lower AUDIT score (adjusted B, -0.53 [95% CI, -1.87 to -0.44]; P = .01) at 6 months. Results of this randomized clinical trial indicate that mobile chat-based instant messaging support for alcohol reduction in addition to an ABI was effective in reducing alcohol consumption in university students in Hong Kong at risk of alcohol use disorder. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04025151.

Living Arrangements Predict Frequent Alcohol Consumption Among University Students: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

This study aimed to confirm the clinical impact of living arrangements on incidence of frequent alcohol consumption in university students. A retrospective cohort study. A national university in Japan. 17,774 university students. The association between living arrangements on admission and the incidence of frequent alcohol consumption (≥4days/week) was assessed using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional-hazards models. Among 5,685, 692, and 5,151 male students living with family, living in the dormitory, and living alone, 5.0%, 6.2%, and 5.8% reported frequent alcohol consumption during the median observational period of 3.0years, respectively. Living in the dormitory and living alone were identified as significant predictors of frequent alcohol consumption (multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios: 1.00 [reference], 1.39 [1.01-1.92], and 1.21 [1.03-1.42], respectively). On the contrary, living arrangements were not associated with the incidence of frequent alcohol consumption among of 6,091 female students, partly because of low incidence of frequent alcohol consumption (2.3%, 1.4%, and 2.6%, respectively). Living arrangements predicted frequent alcohol consumption among male university students, whereas not among female university students.

Co-occurrence of insufficient physical activity, smoking, inadequate diet, and alcohol consumption in university students from Minas Gerais, Brazil

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with the co-occurrence of insufficient physical activities, smoking, consumption of alcoholic beverages, and inappropriate eating habits in university. This is a cross-sectional study with a representative sample of students from the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, MG, Brazil. The information was obtained through a questionnaire and the risk criteria adopted were irregular consumption of fruits and vegetables, insufficient physical activity, smoking, and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. The independent variables were sex, age group, marital status, area of study and time of study. The outcomes were the co-occurrence of two and three/four risk factors. The association was measured using Odds Ratio (OR) and a multinominal logistic regression with a significance level of 5%. 1.110 university students participated. The prevalence of two and three/four risk factors was of 35.3% and 15.4%, respectively. College students with a partner were associated with lower chances for two risk factors (OR: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.21–0.98), and there was an association between three or four factors of behavioral risk with university students belonging to areas not related to health (OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.26–2.86). It was concluded that the prevalence of occurrence of two risk factors or more was high and that single students and those in fields unrelated to health were associated with the risk factors.

Determination of ethyl glucuronide in hair and self-reported alcohol consumption in university students.

Young individuals constitute an intriguing population, as their drinking habits are notably shaped by their perception of their peers' alcohol consumption. Nonetheless, excessive alcohol intake can have detrimental effects on academic performance, interpersonal relationships, and the risk and severity of accidents. This study reported the first data involving students enrolled from three universities on a voluntary basis for alcohol consumption evaluation. Alcohol consumption was assessed through questionnaires and EtG quantification in hair (hEtG) carried out by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis after a solid-phase extraction (SPE) purification step. The results of our study demonstrated that 77.1% of samples tested negative for hEtG or displayed hEtG ≤ 5pg/mg. Particularly, the student population was not characterized by samples with hEtG indicative of chronic excessive consumption (hEtG ≥ 30pg/mg). No significant association was identified between biological sex, among the degree course/the year attended, nor in relation to BMI or smoking/coffee consumption. Among the obtained results, it was worth noting that the comparison of self-reporting abstinence from tobacco and coffee accounted for 65.3% and 16.7%, respectively, while only 2.8% of the total declared abstinence from alcohol. The current study has uncovered a significant level of interest among students in this analysis and its interpretation. This suggests that implementing public health promotion activities within a university setting could be beneficial.

Personality factors and alcohol consumption in university students in Ecuador

Alcohol is one of the most prevalent addictive substances, both among young people and adults, and there is evidence that the most impulsive and extroverted consume more frequently and in high quantities. The purpose of this project is to analyze how personality traits are related to alcohol consumption patterns, the method is correlational, with a non-experimental cross-sectional design, the psychological instruments that were applied are the Big Five Questionnaire and the Alcohol Consumption Disorders Identication Questionnaire (AUDIT) with a sample of 207 students, the process was carried out through the Microsoft Excel program for the analysis of the scores obtained. Among the most relevant results, they indicate that the personality factors that university students possess the most are extroversion and neuroticism, in the same way that it is related to high alcohol dependence.

Alcohol consumption, alcohol expectancies, and drinking contexts in young Argentinean college students before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a one-year follow-up study

ABSTRACT Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns are known to affect alcohol consumption. This study examines drinking expectancies and contexts upon alcohol consumption of Argentinean students. Objectives: To assess within-person changes in alcohol consumption in Argentinean college students (aged 18–24), from August 2019 with a one-year follow-up during the COVID-19 lockdown, considering alcohol expectancies, drinking contexts, and main socio-demographic variables. To validate the stability of these predictors, we discuss the effects on the alcohol consumption across dependent and independent measures. Methods: We assessed one longitudinal (N = 300, 70% female) and one cross-sectional (N = 165, 78% female) sample via online surveys and applied multilevel analysis and regressions, respectively. Results: Alcohol consumption significantly increased during lockdown compared to one-year before (mean: 6.91 and 8.26 alcohol units, correspondingly). In the longitudinal sample, social facilitation (medium effect sizes [ES]: 0.21, 0.22) and parental presence (medium ES: 0.12, 0.21) significantly and stable (through time) predicted increasing effects on consumption. In the cross-sectional sample, stress control (high ES: 0.78) and parental presence (high ES: 0.42) were associated with higher consumption during lockdown. Conclusion: College students increased their alcohol consumption during lockdown, suggesting that restrictive sanitary measures may negatively affect consumption. Literature is not conclusive as both decreases and increases in alcohol consumption in students from developed countries were reported. Before and during COVID-19 lockdown, parental presence is a stable predictor of increased alcohol consumption, though unusual according to the literature. Health policies aimed at modifying the behavior of parents who promote/share alcohol consumption with their offspring may help reduce drinking in college students.

Comparison of alcohol consumption in university students before and during the initial months of the pandemic

Introduction: Researchers diverge in relation to the possible impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the pattern of alcohol consumption among university students. The objective of this study was to compare the pattern of alcohol use among university students, one week before and three months after the beginning of the social isolation. Method: Quantitative and longitudinal study, with data collection carried out in two moments: in person on 9th, 10th and 11th of March, 2020; and online, between the months of June and July, 2020. The instruments used were sociodemographic questionnaire and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Results: 165 students answered before the pandemic and 100, among this sample, answered during the pandemic, being these students the final sample of the study. Results showed reduction in the total AUDIT score between the two moments: before, the median score was 5.9 (standard deviation = 4.96) and during the pandemic, it was 2.7 (standard deviation = 3.64). There was a significant worsening in the “mental/emotional health”, which was associated with the decrease of AUDIT score (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The pattern of alcohol use showed reduction in the second moment compared to the first one. In addition, the worsening of mental health during the beginning of social isolation was associated with the change in the pattern of alcohol consumption. It is suggested that more research should be carried out as a way to monitor possible changes in mental health and in the pattern of alcohol use in this population.

Evaluation of the level of risk due to alcohol consumption and associated factors, in first-entry students at a University Campus in Jalisco, Mexico

Alcohol consumption in university students is considered a public health problem that can affect academic performance. The objective was to evaluate the level of risk for alcohol consumption in first-entry students at the University Campus of Biological and Agricultural Sciences of the University of Guadalajara. A questionnaire was applied that included: sociodemographic characteristics and alcohol consumption through the “Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test” (AUDIT). The information was collected anonymously, obtaining their informed consent and guaranteeing their confidentiality. 589 students were surveyed, with an average age of 19.1 years, 53.2% women and 46.8% men, 86.4% reported having consumed alcohol, with tequila and beer being the preferred alcoholic beverages; it was observed that alcohol consumption did not influence the family relationship with their parents or the average high school grade; Regarding the AUDIT, 83% of the respondents did not present problems with alcohol consumption, 12.9% need a simple advice to reduce consumption, 3.1% evidenced risky consumption, and 1.0% showed risk of dependence; so it is necessary to implement strategies for comprehensive education in university life.

Relationship between alcohol consumption and adverse childhood experiences in college students-A cross-sectional study.

BackgroundAlcohol consumption is an important issue. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can affect alcohol consumption later in life. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to test the association between ACE and the alcohol consumption in college students.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional study on college students was conducted during December 2021 and January 2022, Through the school web system, students received a standard questionnaire on alcohol consumption (AUDIT) and ACEs. The study involved 4,044 participants from three universities in Slovakia.ResultCompared to men, the incidence of emotional abuse by a parent, physical abuse by a parent, and sexual abuse was significantly higher in women (p < 0.001). Furthermore, women reported greater emotional and physical neglect (p < 0.001). The incidence of a high or very high AUDIT score in college students with ACE-0, ACE-1, ACE-2, ACE-3, and ACE-4+ was 3.8, 4.7, 4.1, 6.4, and 9.3%, respectively.ConclusionMore adverse childhood experiences were associated with increased alcohol consumption in both male and female university students. Baseline drinking was higher in male students, but increased drinking in relation to an increase in ACEs was higher in female students. These results point to gender-specific driving forces and targets for intervention.

Peer-led interventions to reduce alcohol consumption in college students: A scoping review.

Risky alcohol consumption among college students is a significant public health issue. In the college setting, students can collaborate in the implementation of peer-led interventions. To date, evidence of peer-led programmes in reducing harmful alcohol consumption in this population is inconclusive. The aim of the current scoping review is to provide a broad overview by systematically examining and mapping the literature on peer-led interventions for preventing risky alcohol consumption by college students. The specific aims were to (1) identify the underlying focus of the interventions and assess their (2) effectiveness and (3) feasibility. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, DART-Europe, RCAAP, Trove and ProQuest. The inclusion criteria were peer-led interventions that exclusively addressed alcohol consumption, college students as the target population and interventional studies (randomised controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of interventions). The methodological quality of the articles was evaluated. From 6654potential studies, 13 were included. Nine interventions were described within these studies: Voice of Reason programme, Brief Advice sessions, Peer Theatre, Alcohol Education programme, Perceptions of Alcohol Norms intervention, Motivational Intervention, Alcohol Skills Training programme, Lifestyle Management Class and the Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students. Only the last showed significant reductions in three of the four outcome measures: quantity and frequency of drinking, estimated peak blood alcohol concentration and alcohol-related consequences. It did not significantly decrease the number of heavy-drinking episodes. Peer interventions may be effective in preventing alcohol use among college students, although the evidence is weak and scarce. Further research is needed to strengthen the findings about peer-led interventions.

Alcohol use and family-related factors among Spanish university students: the unHicos project

BackgroundDuring adolescence and youth there are relevant changes in the consolidation, gain or loss of consumption habits and lifestyles and the family factors has a fundamental role to development these habits. The study of the consumption of toxins, such as alcohol intake, is crucial at this stage due to the repercussions that said consumption presents in adulthood. Therefore, the objective of our study was to evaluate the associations between alcohol consumption patterns and related family factors (family functioning, family history of alcohol consumption) in Spanish university students.MethodsObservational, descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study, carried out in first-year university students from 11 Spanish universities. Through an online questionnaire, alcohol consumption (risky consumption and intensive consumption or binge drinking), family functioning and history of alcohol in the family were evaluated.Risky alcohol consumption and binge drinking were assessed using the AUDIT test, and family functioning was assessed using the family APGAR questionnaire. A descriptive analysis of the data was performed, as well as the Chi-Square test and Student's T-Test, and non-conditional logistic regression models were carried out to examine this association.ResultsThe prevalence of risky alcohol consumption identified in the 10,167 respondents was 16.9% (95% CI = 16.2–17.6), and that of BD was 48.8% (95% CI = 47.9–48.8). There is a significant association between risky alcohol consumption and family functioning in students of both sexes, with greater consumption in the face of severe dysfunctional support (men OR = 1.72; p < 0.001 and women OR = 1.74; p < 0.001) and family history of consumption (p = 0.005). Regarding the binge drinking pattern, no statistically significant differences were observed.ConclusionsRisky alcohol consumption in university students is associated with dysfunctional family support, unlike the binge drinking pattern, where there is no such association.The findings of this study show the importance of creating prevention programs focused on the family approach in university students, which include alcohol screening in the population with a family history of this substance, and greater social support from health services.

Comparing Alcohol Use of Pre-COVID-Era and COVID-Era Cohorts of Mandated College Student Drinkers

Studies report mixed findings on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on college student alcohol consumption. However, the impact of pandemic restrictions on students referred to an intervention following a campus alcohol violation has not yet been studied. The current study examined alcohol use behaviors and perceived drinking norms among mandated student cohorts enrolled in the pre-COVID-19 era (fall 2019) and COVID-19 era (fall 2020). Participants (N = 228) completed measures focused on alcohol use and associated behaviors. Analytic models controlled for participant age and entailed negative binomial regressions for count outcomes and analyses of covariance for normally distributed continuous outcomes. COVID-era cohort students reported fewer drinks, pregaming occasions (i.e., drinking before a social occasion such as a sports event), and drinks while pregaming. Frequency of heavy episodic drinking (HED) remained consistent between groups; however, the peak number of drinks during HED was significantly lower in the COVID-era group, as were Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test scores and alcohol-related consequences. Perceived peer norms for frequency and quantity were significantly higher in the COVID-era group. Regression confirmed a significant impact of norms on both frequency and quantity of alcohol use in both cohorts. Mandated college students during the COVID-19 pandemic consumed less alcohol, engaged in less pregaming, consumed fewer drinks while pregaming, and reported fewer negative alcohol consequences than a cohort from the previous year. In this campus case study of residential students who violate campus alcohol policy, COVID restrictions were associated with reduced overall quantity and risky practices.

Assessing Alcohol Expectations in University Students: the APNE Scale

The increasing prevalence of alcohol consumption at early ages has led to major efforts to identify alcohol drinking habits within this highly vulnerable group, and individuals with hazardous patterns of alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Alcohol Positive and Negative Expectations Scale (APNE; a new screening tool developed to identify expectations toward alcohol), and to examine the patterns of alcohol drinking in young adults. The sample included n = 1309 participants (college students) with age range 20 to 25 years. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) performed through Generalized Structural Equation Models (GSEM) verified the structure of the APNE, correlational models evaluated convergent-discriminant validity, and logistic regression assessed the discriminative ability to identify harmful drinking. The bifactor structure for the APNE was confirmed (positive and negative expectations toward alcohol drinking), with adequate goodness-of-fit (RMSEA = 0.052, CFI = 0.936, TLI = 0.914, and SRMR = 0.075). Multi-group modeling showed invariance by sex (p = .543) and age (p = .395) for the measurement coefficients. High correlations with external measures of alcohol use/abuse and discriminant capacity to identify harmful drinking were obtained. Compared to men, women reported higher mean scores in the negative expectations factor (p = .003). Polynomial linear trends showed that the likelihood of positive expectations toward alcohol decreased with age, while negative expectations increased. The APNE is a brief, reliable, valid, and accurate tool to assess positive and negative expectations toward alcohol consumption in college students. Tools like the APNE can support policymakers to make informed decisions about the implementation of prevention and treatment programs targeted at this segment of the population, the development of personalized alcohol programs, and the reappraisal of public campaigns.

Excessive alcohol consumption and binge drinking in college students.

BackgroundBinge drinking (BD) refers to a pattern of alcohol consumption characterized by the consumption of large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time followed by periods of abstinence. This drinking pattern is prevalent worldwide, mainly among young people. Excessive alcohol consumption is the spectrum of consumption patterns that may have or have had health consequences, and includes the concepts of risky alcohol use, harmful alcohol use and alcohol dependence according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV), the latter two are currently grouped into alcohol use disorder (AUD) according to the fifth edition of the DSM (DSM-5). Due to the high prevalence of BD among young people, especially university students, as well as the important consequences of its practice, a study was conducted to evaluate excessive alcohol consumption and its relationship with the practice of BD in university students.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among students (aged 18–30 years) enrolled in the academic year 2018–2019 at the Faculty of Nursing at a university in northern Spain. Data collection included sociodemographic information, and alcohol use information, collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. To measure the excessive alcohol consumption, this study used the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT).ResultsA total of 142 participants were included, of which 88.03% were women. Up to 38.03% were classified as BD. Up to 14.77% of non-BD participants and 66.67% of BD participants were classified as risky drinkers (AUDIT Total geq 8 in men or geq 6 in women) (p < 0.001). Up to 3.41% of the non-BD and 24.07% of the BD were drinkers with harmful alcohol use and probable alcohol dependence (AUDIT Total geq 13) (p < 0.001). A total of 5.68% of non-BD and 42.59% of BD were AUD drinkers (AUDIT Total geq 9 in males or geq 8 in females) (p < 0.001). In addition, statistically significant differences were found between the BD and non-BD groups in the responses to each of the AUDIT items, as well as in the total score and also in the scores of the three domains of the questionnaire.ConclusionsExcessive alcohol consumption is frequent among university students, especially among those who practice BD.

Depresión, Ansiedad y Estrés en Estudiantes Universitarios Antes y Durante Los Primeros Tres Meses de Cuarentena por COVID-19

IntroductionDifferent psychological symptoms of distress as well as drinking motives have been associated with alcohol use in college students. The COVID-19 lockdown [aislamiento social, preventivo y obligatorio (ASPO)] reduced movement to a minimum, impacting college students’ mental health and generating changes in several behaviours, including alcohol use. ObjectivesTo examine the association between symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress, drinking motives and alcohol use in two groups of Argentinian college students, before and during the first three months of lockdown. In addition, it was examined whether drinking motives mediate the relationship between psychological distress and alcohol use. MethodsTwo samples of college students, one before the lockdown (n=125; mean age, 23.87 ± 3.27 years; 73.6% women) and another during the lockdown (n=174; 24.32 ± 3.64 years; 78.2% women) completed an online survey. ResultsAlcohol use, as well as social and enhancement motives, decreased in college students during lockdown. The associations between psychological distress and drinking motives with alcohol use were more consistent in the group during lockdown compared with the group after lockdown. At a multivariate level, coping motives explained an increased frequency of alcohol consumption in college students during lockdown. ConclusionsIt is necessary to pay special attention to the mental health of college students who have experienced changes in their routines as a result of the restrictions implemented during the pandemic.

Inteligencia emocional y su relación en el consumo de alcohol en universitarios mexicanos

Objective: to determine the relationship between emotional intelligence and the prevalence of alcohol consumption in university students of both genders. Methods: descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational design, non-probabilistic convenience sampling with a sample of 365 students from a public institution of higher education in H. Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, descriptive and correlational statistics were used. Results: the female gender was higher (76.7%) than the male gender (23.3%), with an age range of 18 to 24 years, where the prevalence of alcohol consumption in life was 77% and the age of first consumption It was between 15 and 18 years old (56.4%), older than 18 years old (12.6%) and younger than 15 years old (8.5%), lapsico consumption was in the last year 38.8%, month 24.7% and 7 days 19.7%. The IE dimensions of attention to feelings and repair of emotions presented similar values ​​in both genders, mostly an adequate and excellent level. The correlation in women between the age of alcohol consumption and the EI dimensions was significant and inverse. Conclusions: young people present high prevalence of consumption and EI, it was found that for the male gender, emotional clarity requires strategies that allow it to be improved.

Predicting college student alcohol consumption and related problems

Predicting college student alcohol consumption and related problems

Academic Performance during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Relationship with Demographic Factors and Alcohol Consumption in College Students.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many changes in the education sector worldwide, and school curricula have had to adapt to a non-face-to-face modality. However, international studies have concluded that this modality has affected the academic performance of students. The present study aimed to compare the academic performance of a sample of college students from before the start of quarantine with their current performance, and to test whether various demographic factors influenced these changes in conjunction with alcohol consumption. With a non-experimental, comparative and longitudinal design, we applied an ad hoc questionnaire, in conjunction with the AUDIT questionnaire, in a sample of college students (n = 341), and we also obtained data of academic average and failed subjects. The demographic factors that influenced academic performance were sex (p < 0.01), age (p < 0.01) and alcohol consumption (p = 0.001). Most students showed an improvement in their academic average during the quarantine period. Women without failed subjects and low-risk alcohol consumption obtained a better average in this period. In conclusion sex, age and alcohol consumption level were factors associated with academic performance during the quarantine period due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and women had a higher academic average than men did.

Effects of the COVID-19 Mitigation Measures on Alcohol Consumption and Binge Drinking in College Students: A Longitudinal Survey.

To “flatten the curve” of COVID-19 contagion, several countries ordered lockdowns amid the pandemic along with indications on social distancing. These social isolation measures could potentially bring alterations to healthy behavior, including to alcohol consumption. However, there is hardly any scientific evidence of the impact of such measures on alcohol consumption and binge drinking (BD) among young adults, and how they relate to alcohol craving, stress, anxiety, and depression levels. We addressed these questions by conducting a longitudinal study with 146 Portuguese college students—regular binge drinkers (regular BDs), infrequent binge drinkers (infrequent BDs) and non-binge drinkers (non-BDs)—in three moments: before the pandemic (Pre-Lockdown), during lockdown (Lockdown) and 6 months after (Post-Lockdown). Results revealed that regular BDs decreased alcohol use during Lockdown, a change in behavior that was even greater during Post-Lockdown, when regular BDs displayed similar levels of consumption to infrequent/non-BDs. Additionally, alcohol craving and living with friends were predictive of alcohol use during Lockdown, whereas stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms did not contribute to explain changes in drinking behavior. Collectively, the results suggest that BD in young Portuguese college students can be stopped when the contexts in which alcohol intake usually takes place are suppressed, which may have important implications for future prevention and intervention strategies.

Comparing self-affirmation manipulations to reduce alcohol consumption in university students

Objective: Self-affirmation theory proposes that defensive processing prevents people from accepting health-risk messages, which may explain university students’ dismissal of risk-information about binge drinking. SA-interventions may encourage non-biased processing of such information through impacting on interpersonal feelings and self-esteem. This study compared two self-affirmation manipulations on interpersonal feelings, self-esteem, message processing, message acceptance and subsequent alcohol consumption. Participants: UK university students (N = 454). Methods: Participants were randomly allocated to one of three conditions (Self-affirmation Implementation Intention, Kindness Questionnaire, Control) before reading health-risk information about binge drinking. This was followed by measures of interpersonal feelings, self-esteem, message processing, acceptance and behavioral intentions. Alcohol consumption was assessed one week later. Results: The self-affirmation manipulations had non-significant effects on all outcome variables. Conclusion: Consistent with previous research, the results indicate that self-affirmation interventions are not effective for reducing alcohol consumption in university students.