Binge Drinking In University Students Research Articles

Change in Alcohol Consumption and Binge Drinking in University Students During the Early COVID-19 Pandemic.

ObjectivesYoung adults have been overly affected by the containment measures against COVID-19 and, consequently, worsening in mental health and change in health behavior have been reported. Because the life phase of emerging adulthood is crucial for developing health behaviors, this study aims to examine increase in alcohol consumption, single and multiple binge drinking, and associated factors in students during lockdown and post-lockdown periods.MethodsA prospective open cohort study design with nine survey time points between April 2020 and June 2021 was conducted. The present study uses pooled data from the first survey T0 (3 April to 14 April) and follow-ups at T1 (30 April to 11 May 2020) and T2 (28 May to 8 June 2020). Students from all faculties of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) (N = 12'431) were invited. Of the 1,300 students who participated at baseline and in at least one follow-up, 1,278 (98.3%) completed the questionnaires, final net sample size was 947. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) models were used to investigate the factors associated with increases in alcohol consumption based on number of occasions/last 30 days; drinks/week, and binge drinking at T0, and respective changes at T1 and T2 (increases, decreases, no change).ResultsOverall, 20% of Swiss university students reported an increased alcohol consumption and 26% engaged in binge drinking. Number of drinks at baseline was associated with a higher probability of increased alcohol consumption, as well as engaging in single and multiple binge drinking events. Higher anxiety scores were associated with a higher probability to increase the alcohol consumption and engaging at least once in binge drinking. Additional factors associated with any binge drinking were male gender, younger age and not living with parents. Higher perceived social support was only associated with engaging in heavy binge drinking.ConclusionsA substantial number of students developed a more risky health behavior regarding alcohol consumption. It is important to identify at risk students and design target prevention including factors such as age, gender and social norms. Further, health behavior and determinants of health behaviors of students should be carefully monitored during the further course of the pandemic.

The mediating role of constructs representing reasoned-action and automatic processes on the past behavior-future behavior relationship.

Past behavior has been consistently shown to predict and explain future behavior. It has been proposed that past behavior effects reflect both reasoned action and automatic processes. The current study sought to explore the mediation of past behavior-future behavior relationship via constructs reflecting these processes across three populations and behaviors: binge drinking in university students, flossing in adults, and parental sun safety behavior of children 2 - 5 years of age. Furthermore, this study used a measure of past behavior that combined long-term, recent, and routine patterns of behavioral engagement. A prospective design with two waves of data collection spaced six weeks apart was adopted. Participants (total N = 754) completed an initial survey containing measures of past behavior (frequency, recency, and routine), social cognition (attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control), and behavioral automaticity. Six weeks later, participants (N = 454) completed a self-report measure of behavior and behavioral automaticity. Structural equation modelling revealed that automatic, but not reasoned-action processes, mediated the past-to-future relationship, across the three behaviors. Results further revealed that long-term, recent, and routine patterns of behavioral engagement were highly correlated and indicated a second-order past behavior latent variable. While both reasoned-action and automatic factors can predict a range of health behaviors, automatic processes appear to explain the effect of past behavior on future behavior. Further investigations should focus on exploring the role of other non-conscious and automatic processes such as counter-intentional habits and implicit beliefs in explaining engagement in heath behaviors.

The Influence of Personality and Drinking Motives on College Student Binge Drinking in the US and Portugal

Abstract. The present study examined whether personality traits and drinking motives interact to predict binge drinking and alcohol-related problems in a cross-cultural sample of college students. Participants were undergraduate drinkers ( N = 904; 66% female) from universities in Portugal ( N = 391) and the US ( N = 513). Participants completed measures assessing neuroticism, extraversion, conscientiousness, drinking motives, frequency of binge drinking, and the number of alcohol-related problems. A significant Country × Neuroticism × Conformity interaction was explained by differences between US and Portuguese samples. The effect of this interaction on alcohol- related problems was mediated by binge drinking. Findings suggest similarities and differences across cultures in the manner in which personality and drinking motives are associated with alcohol outcomes. Across cultures, neuroticism, extraversion, conscientiousness, and drinking motives are key factors to consider in the assessment, prevention, and treatment of alcohol use among college students.

Tobacco smoking and binge drinking among university students in three European countries, 2009-2017

Abstract Background Attention is needed on students as high levels of substance use are often part of the university experience. The aim of the study is to identify the trend of tobacco smoking and binge drinking among university students (US) of Belgium, France and the Netherlands over a 9 years period. Methods Three repeated cross-sectional studies in US were performed in 2009-10, 2012-13 and 2016-17 in university of Antwerp (Belgium), Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and Rouen (France). US between 18 and 25 voluntarily filled out a self-administered anonymous questionnaire. The socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, curriculum, job and accommodation) of the US were collected. Tobacco smoking and binge drinking in the previous 12 months were also collected. The trend test of Cochran-Armitage was used for comparisons. Results In 2010, 1388 US were included in Antwerp, 1907 in Amsterdam, and 1137 in Rouen. In 2013, 1665 US were included in Antwerp, 3590 in Amsterdam, and 1488 in Rouen. In 2016, 2347 US were included in Antwerp, 4157 in Amsterdam, and 1011 in Rouen. Female gender was 63.4% in Antwerp, 68.7% in Amsterdam and 65.4% in Rouen. The prevalence of tobacco smoking was respectively in 2010, 2013 and 2016: in Antwerp: 31.0%, 33.5% and 27.6% (p = 0.008); in Amsterdam: 13.7%, 16.5% and 17.0% (p = 0.003); in Rouen: 21.3%, 23.7% and 23.5% (p = 0.21). The prevalence of binge drinking (more than once a month) was respectively in 2010, 2013 and 2016: in Antwerp: 16.2%, 12.3% and 16.7% (p = 0.30); in Amsterdam: 26.5%, 27.4% and 26.5% (p = 0.82); in Rouen: 8.6%, 16.6% and 7.1% (p = 0.44). Conclusions Risk behaviours as tobacco smoking and binge drinking in US show a different prevalence according to country. Tobacco smoking decreases in two countries and frequent binge drinking did not change during the 9 years period. Further analyses need to be conducted taking into account the curriculum and the socio-demographic characteristics. Key messages Risk behaviours as tobacco smoking and binge drinking in university students show a different prevalence according to the European country. Binge drinking does not worsen for 9 years among university students.

Tackling binge drinking in university students: a European public health challenge.

Tackling binge drinking in university students: a European public health challenge.

Tackling binge drinking in university students: a European public health challenge.

Tackling binge drinking in university students: a European public health challenge.

The Ultimate Cliffhanger: Campaign Strategies and Extreme Drinking Rituals for Turning 21

This qualitative study examined the drinking ritual of 21st birthday celebrations among college student binge drinkers to gain insights that can lead to more effective campaign strategies. Through depth interviews, a pattern of intense peer pressure emerged, not only for the person turning 21, who is expected to be the “drunkest,” but for friends, who make the night risk free by giving the birthday person a “free pass.” Because each plays a role in a ritual that celebrates the “ultimate cliffhanger,” campaign strategies aimed solely at the person turning 21 are not sufficient to change behavior. The pros and cons of alternate approaches are explored.

Relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and binge drinking among college students in South Korea

This study determined cardiovascular risk among Korean college students with a history of binge drinking. Variables included alcohol consumption, cardiovascular risk factors (increased blood pressure, body mass index, lipid values) and markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen), and 10-year Framingham risk scores. Korean college student binge drinkers had higher triglyceride levels and higher ratios of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol than did abstainers. Average number of drinks on one occasion was correlated with higher body mass index, triglyceride level, ratio of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and 10-year Framingham risk score. The findings indicate that binge drinking may be associated with premature cardiovascular disease risk.

The Relationship between College Student Binge Drinking and GPA: Differences by Gender and Undergraduate Years

이 연구는 OLS회귀분석과 차우검사를 이용하여 대학생들의 폭음 경험과 학업 성적과의 관계를 탐구하였다. 한 교육대학교 재학생들을 대상으로 수집된 ‘음주 습관 및 생활 경험에 대한 조사’ 자료를 바탕으로, 폭음 수준이 학생들의 평균 평점에 미치는 부정적인 효과를 분석하였다. 분석결과는 폭음을 하지 않는 학생들에 비해 간헐적 혹은 상습적으로 폭음하는 학생들의 학업 성적이 매우 낮음을 보여주었다. 폭음은 공부 시간 혹은 수업 참여율에 영향을 미쳐서 대학생들의 학습 과정에 부정적으로 작용하게 되고, 이는 성적하락으로 이어졌다. 이러한 수업 관련 변인들은 폭음과 성적간의 관계를 매개하는 간접 효과가 있었다. 폭음은 남학생보다는 여학생의 학업에 보다 심각한 장애 요인인 것으로 나타났다. 남학생과는 다르게 여학생들의 폭음은 수업 결손과 수업 준비 시간의 감소를 가져옴으로써 낮은 성적을 성취하는 주요 원인이 됨을 보여주었다. 신입생들은 다른 학년에 비해 폭음과 성적과의 부적(負的) 관계가 두드러졌다. 특히, 이 시기의 잦은 폭음은 수업 참여도에 부정적으로 작용하여 성적 하락에 영향을 주었다. 이상의 결과들은 대학생들의 폭음 행위가 성적에 미치는 효과는 일반적이기 보다는 여학생과 신입생들에게 집중적으로 나타나는 경향이 있음을 암시한다. 그러므로 대학생들의 음주, 특히 폭음 문제에 대처하기 위해 대학은 대상자와 시기를 구체화한 정책을 추진할 필요가 있다. 음주가 가진 대학 사회화의 긍정적 기능을 고려하여 캠퍼스내 음주를 금지하는 방식의 제한적 조치보다는 술을 대신할 수 있는 학내 사교환경을 조성하는 데 더 큰 관심을 기울여야 할 것이다.This study examines negative effects of excessive alcohol use of undergraduate students on GPA. With the survey on drinking behavior and daily-life experiences of students at the national university located in a small city of South Korea, this study analyzed the causal relationship between binge drinking and academic performance. OLS regression and Chow test were used to compare respective regression results of sub-samples by gender and ndergraduate years. The results showed that binge drinking is directly associated with low academic achievement. The missing class and a reduction in the time spent preparing for class mediated the relationship between heavy drinking and GPA. Compared with those of male students, academic performance of female students was more sensitive to binge drinking. Freshman and sophomore heavy drinkers had lower GPA than those in the senior year. These results presented that college student binge drinking affects directly and indirectly academic performance. Binge drinking may be more serious for female than male and a bigger problem at a certain grade in school year. It implies that the college’s more active effort and consideration are necessary to solve the problem of binge drinking on campus.

The utility of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)for the analysis of binge drinking in university students.

The increasingly precise conceptualization of Binge Drinking (BD), along with the rising incidence of this pattern of intake amongst young people, make it necessary to review the usefulness of instruments used to detect it. Little evidence exists regarding effectiveness of the AUDIT, AUDIT-C and AUDIT-3 in the detection of BD. This study evaluates their utility in a sample of university students, revealing the most appropriate cut-off points for each sex. All students self-administered the AUDIT and completed a self-report of their alcohol consumption. A Two-step cluster analysis differentiated 5 groups of BD in terms of: the quantity consumed, the frequency of BD over the past six months and gender. A ROC curve adjusted cut-off points for each case. 862 university students (18-19 years-old/59.5% female), 424 (49.2%) from Valencia and 438 (50.8%) from Madrid, had cut-off points of 4 in AUDIT and 3 in AUDIT-C as a better fit. In all cases, the best classifier was AUDIT-C. Neither version properly classifies students with varying degrees of BD. All versions differentiate BD from non-BD, but none are able to differentiate between types of BD.

Personality profile of binge drinking in university students is modulated by sex. A study using the Alternative Five Factor Model

BackgroundThe prevalence of binge drinking (BD), found especially among young people, is increasing worldwide and has become an important social and health concern. We studied, for the first time, the personality profile, using the Alternative Five Factor Model, among university students with BD and healthy controls, taking into account the possible influence of sex. Methods70 participants with BD (30 men) and 70 healthy controls (30 men) were included, selected to control for characteristics that are known to be related to BD (physical and mental disorders, consumption of other drugs, circadian rhythms), completed the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ). ResultsThe scores on Neuroticism-Anxiety and Impulsive Sensation-Seeking were higher in the BD group compared to the controls (p<0.001 in both cases). The higher scores in the BD group in Neuroticism-Anxiety are due to higher scores in the women’s group (p=0.014), while those in Impulsive Sensation-Seeking are due to higher scores in the men’s group (p=0.009), both in the Impulsivity and in the Sensation-Seeking subscales (p<0.045). ConclusionsSex could be a factor that modulates the endophenotype of drug dependence (impulsive and anxious personality) and the prevention and/or treatment programs for BD should include not only the management of the personality risk factors but also different tailored approaches according to sex.

A history of adolescent binge drinking in humans is associated with impaired self-movement cue processing on manipulatory scale navigation tasks

A binge drinking pattern of alcohol consumption has been shown to have an impact on brain structures that continue to develop into late adolescence. These same brain structures have been implicated in processing self-movement cues. The current study applies an array of existing and novel kinematic analysis techniques to characterize performance on manipulatory scale tasks to assess spatial orientation deficits associated with a history of adolescent binge drinking. Using kinematic analysis techniques, a history of adolescent binge drinking in university students was associated with disruptions in outward segment movement organization and less accurate direction and distance estimation in a dead reckoning task. Similar disruptions in performance were found in the bead maze task in the first training block; however, no group differences were observed on subsequent blocks of place training. This is the first study to demonstrate a relationship between adolescent binge drinking in humans and impaired processing of self-movement cues. This pattern of results demonstrates the potential of manipulatory-scale spatial tasks to detect differences in information processing associated with factors known to disrupt normal central nervous system development.

A brief mindfulness intervention for college student binge drinkers: A pilot study.

The current study sought to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a brief mindfulness intervention aimed to reduce rates and consequences of binge drinking among college students. Participants were 76 undergraduate students assigned to a mindfulness/cue exposure group (MG) or a control/cue exposure only group (CG). Assessments were administered at the beginning of the initial session (i.e., baseline), the end of the initial session (i.e., posttreatment) and weekly for the subsequent 4 weeks. During the initial session, participants engaged in a cue exposure protocol that differed by group. The MG participated in a 60-min individual mindfulness intervention composed of didactic and experiential activities during the initial session. They participated in a mindfulness practice during the Week 2 follow-up assessment and were asked to engage in 1 hr of out-of-session mindfulness meditation each week during the 4-week assessment period. Treatment outcome examined changes in frequency of binge episodes, consequences of alcohol use, readiness to change alcohol use, alcohol refusal self-efficacy, and dispositional mindfulness between groups over time. Group differences in readiness to change, self-efficacy, and dispositional mindfulness were not found from baseline to posttreatment. Four weeks after the initial intervention, the MG reported significantly less binge episodes, fewer consequences of alcohol use, higherself-efficacy and higher dispositional mindfulness than the CG. Feasibility and participant acceptability of the intervention was demonstrated by consistent attendance, low attrition and high satisfaction ratings by the MG. Results provide initial support for the efficacy of a brief, mindfulness-based intervention among college students who report binge drinking. (PsycINFO Database Record

Elevated alcohol demand is associated with driving after drinking among college student binge drinkers.

Alcohol-impaired driving among college students represents a significant public health concern, yet little is known about specific theoretical and individual difference risk factors for driving after drinking among heavy drinking college students. This study evaluated the hypothesis that heavy drinkers with elevated alcohol demand would be more likely to report drinking and driving. Participants were 207 college students who reported at least 1 heavy drinking episode (4/5 or more drinks in 1 occasion for a woman/man) in the past month. Participants completed an alcohol purchase task that assessed hypothetical alcohol consumption across 17 drink prices and an item from the Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire that assessed driving after drinking. In binary logistic regression models that controlled for drinking level, gender, ethnicity, age, and sensation seeking, participants who reported higher demand were more likely to report driving after drinking. These results provide support for behavioral economics models of substance abuse that view elevated/inelastic demand as a key etiological feature of substance misuse.

Interference in the alcohol Stroop task with college student binge drinkers.

Heavy drinking among college students is associated with social, health, and legal problems. One factor that may contribute to heavy drinking is an attentional bias for alcohol-related cues, which can influence drinking automatically and without an individual's awareness. Using tests of alcohol-related attentional bias, such as the alcohol Stroop task, previous research has shown that alcohol dependent drinkers have greater attentional biases than non-dependent drinkers, but results for college student drinkers have been mixed. The present study examined alcohol Stroop task performance and its relationship to drinking levels and drinking-related problems among 84 college students during the 2009-2010 academic year with at least one binge drinking episode in the previous month. As hypothesized, results indicated that participants had greater attentional interference when alcohol words were presented compared to when neutral words were presented during the Stroop task, suggesting that the students in the sample displayed greater attentional biases for alcohol words compared to neutral words. Results showed that Stroop task responding did not vary by drinking frequency or drinking-related problems, but did vary by drinking intensity. Presentation of alcohol-related cues may cause heavier drinking college students to attend to these stimuli, which may increase the saliency of these cues and influence their likelihood of drinking. Implications for prevention and treatment efforts are discussed.

Alcohol expectancies, binge drinking and alcohol-related injuries in University students

BackgroundOne the most studied psychosocial factors in alcohol drinking are the expectancies of alcohol effects (AE). They refer to the belief that a person holds on the cognitive, behavioural and...

DRD2/ANKK1 TaqI A genotype moderates the relationship between alexithymia and the relative value of alcohol among male college binge drinkers

Binge drinking remains prevalent on college campuses (particularly among males), and a behavioral economic conceptualization of alcohol use provides novel insight into this problem. Further understanding also comes from identifying personality and genetic vulnerabilities associated with problem drinking among male college students. The present study hypothesized that DRD2/ANKK1 TaqI A (rs1800497) genotype would moderate the relationship between alexithymia and an alcohol purchase task (APT) among male college binge drinkers. Specifically, among individuals with at least 1 A1 allele (A1+), greater alexithymia would be related to higher breakpoint (the point at which consumption is 0), Omax (maximum expenditure on consumption), Pmax (price at which maximum expenditure occurs), intensity (consumption at the lowest price), and lesser elasticity (sensitivity to increasing price). Secondary analyses aimed to replicate APT associations with problematic drinking (AUDIT) and alcohol-related problems (RAPI). Participants were 120 male European-American college student binge drinkers (AUDIT: M=10.33, SD=4.41). Five Bonferroni-corrected moderation models were tested using APT indices as the criteria, alexithymia as the predictor, and DRD2/ANKK1 TaqI A1 allele presence as the moderator. Results indicated that, in A1+ individuals, greater alexithymia predicted lesser elasticity. Findings were not significant in A1− individuals. APT intensity was positively correlated with AUDIT total; however, no other significant relationships were found. This suggests that possession of the A1 allele interacts with hypoemotionality to predict a novel index of problem drinking. Results support the notion that college campuses would benefit from behavioral economic approaches to reduce binge drinking.

Investigating the theory of planned behaviour’s application to binge drinking among university students

The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) has been found to predict many health-related behaviours. The aim of this study was to further investigate the factors that predict binge drinking in university students using the TPB, and to further investigate social facilitation and self-efficacy in relation to binge drinking. One hundred and sixty-one university students completed a questionnaire (time 1), measuring attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control (PBC) and binge-drinking intentions, and 2 weeks later (time 2) 142 participants reported their binge-drinking behaviour. Ninety-one participants completed both questionnaires. Multiple regression analyses found partial support for the application of the TPB to binge drinking among university students accounting for 50% of variance in intentions to binge drink and 73% of variance in predicting future binge-drinking behaviour. However, PBC was found to be a non-significant predictor, thus supporting the simpler model of behaviour which excludes this control variable, the theory of reasoned action. Self-efficacy and social facilitation were also significant predictors of binge drinking. These findings indicate that to reduce binge drinking in university students, interventions targeting attitude change, perception of social norms and social facilitation would be most effective. Future research should explore the role of PBC in the TPB to determine its relevance in binge drinking.

Implicit and explicit alcohol-related motivations among college binge drinkers

Positive alcohol outcome expectancies and behavioral economic indices of alcohol consumption are related to binge drinking among college students and may reflect explicit and implicit motivations that are differentially associated with this behavior. The present study hypothesized that implicit (alcohol purchase task) and explicit (positive expectancy for alcohol's effects) motivations for drinking would not be correlated. It was also hypothesized that greater implicit and explicit motivations would predict alcohol-related risk. Participants were 297 college student binge drinkers (54% female; 88% European-American; Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test: M = 9.53, SD = 5.04). Three indices from the alcohol purchase task (APT) were modeled as a latent implicit alcohol-related motivations variable. Explicit alcohol-related motivations were measured using a global positive expectancy subscale from the Comprehensive Effects of Alcohol Questionnaire. Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test total, Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index total, and age of drinking onset were modeled as a latent alcohol-related risk variable. Structural equation modeling was used to examine associations amongst implicit motivations, explicit motivations, and alcohol-related risk. Implicit and explicit motivations were not correlated. Partially consistent with the second hypothesis, greater implicit motivations were associated with greater alcohol-related risk. Relations between explicit motivations and alcohol-related risk were marginally significant. Implicit and explicit drinking motivations are differentially associated with problem drinking behaviors. Future research should examine the underlying neurobiological mechanisms associated with these factors.

Increasing the Effectiveness of Messages Promoting Responsible Undergraduate Drinking: Tailoring to Personality and Matching to Context

This study addressed the serious problem of college student binge drinking by identifying factors that improve the effectiveness of messages encouraging responsible drinking presented through a website simulation. We tested schema matching (i.e., whether the message matches the person's self-schema type or not) and two types of context matching (i.e., whether the message matches the topic or values of the message context) to determine their relative influence on the effectiveness of the message. We expected that messages matched to any of these factors would be more effective than messages not matched. Schema matching reduced intentions to drink while staying in/home, but topic matching reduced intentions to drink when going out, suggesting that different factors are important for messages targeting drinking behavior in different locations. Significant interactions between topic matching and value matching on message evaluation variables indicated that the message should not match the message context too closely. That is, there appears to be a matching threshold: Increasing the number of factors the message matches does not increase message effectiveness, possibly because it makes the message too redundant with the surrounding content.