The association between levels of alcohol consumption and mental health problems and academic performance among young university students

Risky Alcohol Use and Romantic Relationships Among College Students: A Longitudinal Study

BACKGROUND

Risky alcohol use is frequent among college students and can be associated with functional outcomes. Bidirectional associations have been shown between alcohol use and the stability of romantic relationships, though little is known about the longitudinal association between risky alcohol use and romantic relationships in college and about college students' perceived stress regarding one's love life. Objectives: The present study aims to explore these relationships both cross-sectionally and at one-year follow-up.

METHOD

Data were drawn, from the French portion of the World Mental Health International College Student Survey initiative (WMH-ICS). First-year college students who completed an online survey (n = 1,624) and a second survey at one-year follow-up (n = 727) were included. Current romantic relationship status and stress regarding one's love life, past-year risky alcohol use, lifetime presence of DSM-5 mental health disorders and sociodemographic correlates were assessed.

RESULTS

Risky alcohol use was cross-sectionally associated with dating in multivariate models adjusting for lifetime mental disorders (aOR = 1.70, 95%CI = 1.31-2.20), and in particular with unsteady relationships (aOR = 2.87, 95%CI = 2.01-4.10), but was no longer associated with both one year later. Risky alcohol use was, however, not associated with severe perceived stress regarding one's love life in multivariate models adjusting for lifetime mental disorders in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, while it was associated in bivariate models for both analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings extend our understanding of the association between excessive drinking and romantic relationship patterns among college students underlying the importance of comorbid disorders.

The Interplay of Sleep Quality, Mental Health, and Sociodemographic and Clinical Factors among Italian College Freshmen

Background/Objectives: Sleep and mental health are closely linked, with sleep deprivation increasing the risk of mental health problems in college students. This study aimed to analyze the role of sleep in the mental health status of a sample of Italian freshmen, considering various mental health outcomes and potential interactions between sleep and other relevant factors, such as sociodemographic characteristics, academic experiences, and mental health history. Methods: All freshmen from a medium-sized Italian university were invited to participate in a multidimensional online survey (n = 3756). Sleep quality was assessed through questions on average hours of sleep per night and on satisfaction of perceived sleep quality. Mental health outcomes included psychophysical well-being, psychological distress, substance use, and problematic internet use. Statistical analysis involved multivariate analysis of variance, followed by pairwise comparisons. Results: The sample (n = 721) exhibited low levels of well-being and a high prevalence of psychological distress (52.1%). Approximately one-third of students (n = 258) were dissatisfied with their sleep quality, and one-fourth (n = 186) reported inadequate sleep (less than 7 h per night). More specifically, 24.4% of students slept on average six hours per night, and 1.4% slept five hours or less. Satisfaction with perceived sleep quality significantly influenced well-being, psychological distress, and cannabis use (ηp2 = 0.02). Interaction effects were observed between satisfaction with sleep quality and drop-out intentions (ηp2 = 0.01), as well as between satisfaction with sleep quality and history of mental health diagnosis (ηp2 = 0.02), both of which were significant for psychological distress and cannabis use. Conclusions: This study highlights the influence of perceived sleep quality on academic distress among college freshmen, particularly those with higher intentions of leaving university and with a history of mental health diagnosis.

Is the Association Between Alcohol Consumption and Mental Well-Being in University Students Linear, Curvilinear or Absent?

Background: Both alcohol consumption and mental well-being problems have been found to be prevalent in higher educated students and often have severe consequences. However, previous findings of the association between these constructs are mixed, possibly because often linear models are fitted, while some theories suggest a curvilinear association between the two concepts. Objectives: To clarify previously mixed findings, the current study compared curvilinear and linear models for the relationship between alcohol consumption and mental well-being in university students. Because of potential gender differences in this relationship, these models were explored for females and males separately. Data from the first cross-sectional online survey wave of the Healthy Student Life project including 2,631 female and 998 male students was used. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-consumption was used to measure alcohol consumption. Mental well-being was assessed by six sub-concepts (i.e., depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, life satisfaction, happiness, and self-rated mental health). Results: For females both linear (for anxiety, life satisfaction, and self-rated mental health) and curvilinear (for depression, stress, and happiness) associations were found, while for males no support for either curvilinear or linear models was found. Conclusions: Results should be interpreted with caution due to the small effect sizes in the relationships for females but may suggest that testing the curvilinear association between alcohol consumption and mental well-being is an important future endeavor.

Associations between Gender Expression, Protective Coping Strategies, Alcohol Saliency, and High-Risk Alcohol Use in Post-Secondary Students at Two Canadian Universities

BACKGROUND

This study, conducted in October 2017 at two Canadian universities, aimed to explore the relationships between gender expression, protective coping strategies, alcohol saliency, and high-risk alcohol use.

METHODS

Validated scales were employed to assess these variables using survey data. Multivariate analyses were conducted to investigate the associations between these factors and high-risk drinking.

RESULTS

This study revealed significant associations between high-risk drinking and androgynous gender roles (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.19-2.10) as well as among self-reported males (OR = 2.21; 95% CI: 1.77-2.75). Additionally, protective behavioural strategies were inversely related to high-risk drinking (OR = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.94-0.96), while higher alcohol saliency exhibited a positive correlation with high-risk drinking (OR = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.11-1.14).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings underscore the importance of considering gender, alcohol saliency beliefs, and protective behavioural strategies in the development and refinement of interventions aimed at reducing high-risk alcohol use on Canadian campuses.

Physical Activity Time, Alcohol Consumption, Mediterranean Diet, and Anxiety in Education Science Students

Student lifestyles change during university. This research aimed to classify university students according to their levels of physical activity, alcohol consumption, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and anxiety and studied the relationships between the variables using a multigroup equation model according to gender. The sample was composed of 549 participants (M = 23.06; S.D. = 6.22), of whom 409 were women and 140 were men. Validated and adapted instruments such as the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the PREDIMED Questionnaire, and the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test were used. The data revealed four clusters through Ward's method and the k-means method. Regarding the exploratory model, differences were found in the effects of the variables according to sex. In conclusion, alcohol consumption was positively associated with the Mediterranean diet, and physical activity was negatively associated with the Mediterranean diet and anxiety.

12-month substance use disorders among first-year university students in Kenya

OBJECTIVES

The period of entry into university represents one of vulnerability to substance use for university students. The goal of this study is to document the 12-month prevalence of substance use disorders among first year university students in Kenya, and to test whether there is an association between substance use disorders and mental disorders.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional online survey conducted in 2019 and 2020 as part of the World Health Organization's World Mental Health International College Student (WMH-ICS) survey initiative. A total of 334 university students completed the survey. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the demographic characteristics of the participants. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between substance use disorder and mental disorders after adjusting for age and gender.

RESULTS

The 12-month prevalence for alcohol use disorder was 3.3%, while the 12-month prevalence for other substance use disorder was 6.9%. Adjusting for age and gender, there was an association between any substance use disorder and major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar 1 disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, social anxiety disorder, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and non-suicidal self-injury.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the need to institute policies and interventions in universities in Kenya that address substance use disorders and comorbid mental disorders among first-year students.

Peer-led BASICS intervention to reduce alcohol consumption and alcohol-related consequences among university students: a randomized controlled trial

Introduction

Alcohol consumption is the main substance abused during university and is associated with physical, legal, emotional, social, and cognitive consequences. The peer-led BASICS intervention has been shown to be effective in decreasing the quantity and frequency of drinking, the estimated peak blood alcohol concentration (BAC), and the number of binge drinking episodes among this population.

Objective

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the peer-led BASICS intervention to reduce risky alcohol consumption among university students in the Spanish context.

Materials and methods

A two-arm randomized controlled trial in a university in northern Spain including 308 first- and second-year university students recruited between October 2022 to March 2023. The intervention was a 30-min in-person peer-led motivational interview. Participants were assessed at baseline and 1-month postintervention. The primary outcome was the quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption during a typical week. The intervention effect was verified using a mixed factorial ANOVA model.

Results

Compared with students in the control group, students who received the intervention reduced the number of drinks per week by 5.7 (95% CI 5.54, 5.86); the number of drinks consumed in a typical weekend by 5.2 (95% CI 5.07, 5.33); the number of drinks consumed on the occasion of greatest consumption by 4.9 (95% CI 4.78, 5.02); the number of binge drinking episodes by 1.4 (95% CI 1.37, 1.43); the peak BAC on a typical week and on the occasion of greatest consumption decreased by 0.06 (95% CI 0.058, 0.062) and 0.09 (95% CI 0.088, 0.092); the number of alcohol-related consequences by 5.8 (95% CI 5.67, 5.93); and the motivation to change their alcohol use increased by -0.8 (95% CI -0.85, -0.75).

Conclusion

The peer-led BASICS intervention is effective in changing alcohol consumption and its related consequences among Spanish university students in the short term. The action of nursing students as counselors positively impacted drinking patterns among their peers.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05639374?intr=Effectiveness%20of%20a%20Peer-led%20Program%20to%20Prevent%20Alcohol%20Consumption&rank=1&page=1&limit=10, identifier: NCT05639374.

Exploring the influence of behavioral factors on depression and anxiety scores during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from the Virginia statewide COVIDsmart longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been growing concern about the declining mental health and healthy behaviors compared to pre-pandemic levels. Despite this, there is a lack of longitudinal studies that have examined the relationship between health behaviors and mental health during the pandemic. In response, the statewide COVIDsmart longitudinal study was launched. The study's main objective is to better understand the effects of the pandemic on mental health. Findings may provide a foundation for the identification of public health strategies to mitigate future negative impacts of the pandemic.

METHODS

Following online recruitment in spring of 2021, adults, ages 18 to 87, filled out social, mental, economic, occupational, and physical health questionnaires on the digital COVIDsmart platform at baseline and through six monthly follow-ups. Changes in the participant's four health behaviors (e.g., tobacco and alcohol consumption, physical activity, and social media use), along with sex, age, loneliness score, and reported social and economic (SE) hardships, were analyzed for within-between group associations with depression and anxiety scores using Mixed Models Repeated Measures.

RESULTS

In this study, of the 669 individuals who reported, the within-between group analysis indicated that younger adults (F = 23.81, p < 0.0001), loneliness (F = 234.60, p < 0.0001), SE hardships (F = 31.25, p < 0.0001), increased tobacco use (F = 3.05, p = 0.036), decreased physical activity (F = 6.88, p = 0.0002), and both positive and negative changes in social media use (F = 7.22, p = 0.0001) were significantly associated with worse depression scores. Additionally, females (F = 6.01, p = 0.015), younger adults (F = 32.30, p < 0.0001), loneliness (F = 154.59, p < 0.0001), SE hardships (F = 22.13, p < 0.0001), increased tobacco use (F = 4.87, p = 0.004), and both positive and negative changes in social media use (F = 3.51, p = 0.016) were significantly associated with worse anxiety scores. However, no significant changes were observed in the within-between group measurements of depression and anxiety scores over time (p > 0.05). Physical activity was not associated with anxiety nor was alcohol consumption with both depression and anxiety (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates the longitudinal changes in behaviors within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings may facilitate the design of preventative population-based health approaches during the COVID-19 pandemic or future pandemics.

Associations between adolescents watching pornography and poor mental health in three Swedish surveys

The aim of this study was to examine the association between watching pornography and poor mental health in three repeated cross-sectional surveys in Sweden (2004, 2009, 2014) among high school seniors (13,277 students) with an average age of 18 years. The same index questions concerning ever having watched pornography and the frequency of watching pornography during the last year were combined with three different measures of psychological health and background control variables in multiple logistic regression and forward stepwise logistic regression models. The repeated cross-sectional surveys did not find any consistent associations across years between poor mental health and ever having watched pornography or the frequency of watching pornography. Having watched deviant pornography (containing violence, children and/or animals) was associated with poor mental health among boys in two surveys but only in one survey among girls. Other characteristics, such as mother's unemployment (especially boys), parenting style (especially high controlling parents among boys) and experiences of sexual abuse (especially penetrating abuse among girls), were more consistently and strongly associated to poor mental health across the three surveys. This study stresses the importance of controlling for multiple background variables when studying the association between watching pornography and mental health, since the association might primarily be explained by underlying confounding variables.

Mental health status and stressful life events among postgraduate nursing students in Cyprus: a cross-sectional descriptive correlational study

BACKGROUND

Despite prior evidence supporting the association between stressful life events and mental health status, there are limited data on the number and severity of stressful life events and their effects on university students' mental health status. Therefore, the present study aimed to: (a) examine mental health status and subsequent predictors of clinically significant mental distress symptoms, (b) estimate the number and severity of stressful life events, and (c) explore the associations between mental health status, stressful life events (number and severity) and sociodemographic characteristics.

METHODS

This study was descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational with internal comparisons. A convenience sample of 90 Master of Science in nursing and midwifery students, participated in the study. Participants with a General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) total score ≥ 24 were considered to have clinically significant mental distress symptoms. Descriptive and inferential statistics were evaluated, and Pearson's chi-square test for group differences was used to analyse the data. Analysis of variance and t-tests were used for comparisons between two or more groups, and regression analyses were employed to identify the predictors of GHQ-28 scores and clinical mental distress symptoms.

RESULTS

The final sample comprised 90 students (response rate: 97.8%), 33 (36.7%) of whom reported clinically significant symptoms of mental distress. Students with divorced parents [29.92 (± 10.62), p < .05] scored high on the GHQ-28. Participants who had low/no satisfaction with the education system posted higher scores than participants who had high/very high satisfaction [24.82 (± 11.68) vs. 17.93 (± 9.78), p < .05]. In the subscale measuring depressive symptoms, there was a statistically significant gender difference, with men reporting higher scores than females. [3.0± (3.69) vs. 1.60 (± 2.42), p = .034]. In multiple analyses of sociodemographic characteristics and those who scored higher on the Life Events Scale for Students (LESS) scale (≥ 340), the loss of parent/s was associated with the total GHQ-28 score (B=-17.046, p < .001). In multiple analyses, chronic physical disorders or disabilities and numerous stressful life events among students (≥ 8 events) were correlated with higher overall GHQ-28 scores (B = 15.232, p < .005).

CONCLUSION

The high frequency of clinical symptoms of mental distress among postgraduate university nursing students and their correlation with stressful life events highlights the need for university counselling services to provide psychological support strategies to students.

A 2-year follow-up of the effects of combined binge drinking and cannabis consumption on academic performance and adjustment in Spanish third-year university students

Introduction

The study was based on 2-year follow-up of the effects of binge drinking and cannabis co-consumption on academic performance and adjustment in Spanish Third-Year University Students and to further explore the impact of academic adjustment on this relationship.

Methods

A total of 144 students (aged 19-20 years) enrolled in the third year of university completed the study. The students were recruited during in first academic year (T1) via a survey that included items regarding the use of alcohol (AUDIT-C), cannabis and other drugs and demographic variables. Then, participants meeting the study criteria were then selected and invited by e-mail to a clinical (face-to face) structured interview. The participants completed a calendar of alcohol consumption during the 6 months prior to the interview (Alcohol Timeline Follow back), and recorded cannabis consumption in 3 months prior to the interview. To examine the effects of alcohol and cannabis co-consumption on the outcome variables, we categorized participants into three consumption groups (i.e., control, BD, and BDCA) based on the number of BD days and cannabis unit scores.

Results

Binge drinking and cannabis co-consumption in first-year students was significantly associated with poor academic performance and adjustment after 2 years of undergraduate study. Relative to controls, co-consumers (BDCA) reported significantly lower academic and personal-emotional adjustment to university as well as poorer performance. Mediation analysis showed that academic adjustment explains the mechanism by which BDCAs perform less well, mediating the relationship between co-consumption and academic performance, with an indirect effect representing 64.61% of the total effect. Furthermore, the mediating effect of academic adjustment was maintained after controlling for academic adjustment and baseline grade point average (T1).

Conclusion

This prospective follow-up study helps to further our knowledge of how combined binge drinking and cannabis consumption may affect university adjustment and academic success in Spanish university students Overall, the study results should encourage health professionals, educational psychologists and academic institutions to take ownership of the need for support and involvement in prevention, as well as for provision of guidelines for implementing appropriate intervention strategies.

Mental health, self-rated health, risky sexual behaviour, alcohol use, and drug use among students who intend to spend a semester abroad - a cross-sectional study

Aim

Our aim was to investigate potential differences in mental health, self-rated health, risky sexual behaviour, alcohol use, and drug use between (1) Prospective exchange students and campus students separated by sex, and (2) male and female students as a group.

Method

Comparative cross-sectional design using an online survey containing the following instruments: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Sexual Behaviour in Young People in Sweden; Self-Rated Health Questionnaire; and General Health Questionnaire 12. One-hundred and fourteen prospective exchange students and 451 campus students participated in the study.

Results

Male prospective exchange students rated their mental health as being better and had used cannabis more often compared with female prospective exchange students. Male prospective exchange students also rated their mental health as being better than male campus students. Female students, in general, rated their mental health as worse than male students. A larger proportion of male prospective exchange students had sex together with alcohol compared with male campus students, and a larger proportion of female prospective exchange students had sex with a new partner and drank more alcohol compared to female campus students.

Conclusion

The result shows that risky alcohol use and sexually risky behaviour is prominent amongst prospective exchange students. It is possible that they will continue, and even increase their risky behaviour whilst abroad as they find themselves in a new social context, and free from influence of the rules and restrictions that they might have at home. With limited knowledge of the local culture, native language, and in an unfamiliar environment, it is possible that the risks will be enhanced and possibly decrease their health. This highlights the need for proactive interventions, conceivably with some variations in content between sexes.

Postnatal depression and its social-cultural influences among adolescent mothers: A cross sectional study

In rural Malawi, adolescent mothers represent 31% of pregnancies. While some adolescent mothers experience motherhood as an exciting, positive, and affirming experience, for others, it may increase their risk of postnatal depression (PND). Social norms and culture contribute to adolescent mothers' experiences and may influence their mental health. However, there is limited research around the prevalence of PND and its cultural influences among adolescent mothers. A cross-sectional survey was administered from 7th September 2021 to 31st March 2022. Three hundred and ninety-five adolescent postnatal mothers aged ≤19 were conveniently recruited at Mitundu hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to assess depression. A cutoff point of ≥ 10 was employed to categorize probable PND. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of depression. The mean age of participants was 17 (SD 1.157). and 43.6% (n = 172) presented with PND (EPDS scores ≥10). When all factors were considered in a binary logistic model, adolescents who had ever experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) were 13.6 times more likely to report PND after controlling for age and other predictors compared to those without an experience of IPV (aOR 13.6, p = 0.01, 95% CI 2.10-88.9). Participants whose families did not decide for them (regarding their care) were 2.3 times more likely to present with PND than those whose families decided for them (aOR 2.3 p = 0.03, 95% CI 1.04-5.2). Adolescent mothers who had interacted with their health worker were less likely to report PND than those who had no interaction with the health worker (aOR 0.4 P0.02, CI 0.17-0.67). Social and cultural factors can impact mental health of adolescent mothers. It is recommended that targeted and integrated interventions are developed, implemented. and evaluated. There is a need to improve policy and practice to better support adolescent mothers postnatally.

Alcohol Consumption in Nursing Students after the COVID-19 Lockdown

Excessive alcohol consumption is a major public health issue that can negatively affect behavior among university students. The objective of this study was to estimate the frequency of alcohol consumption in nursing students as well as to describe the pattern of alcohol consumption after COVID-19 lockdown. A descriptive, cross-sectional observational study was carried out, in which 1162 degree-level nursing students were evaluated. Sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyles and levels of physical activity were determined using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire: Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and alcohol consumption was determined using the ISCA (Systematized Alcohol Consumption Questionnaire) and AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Inventory Test) questionnaires. According to the AUDIT questionnaire, 36.7% of the students met the criteria for excessive alcohol consumption (26.8% men vs. 39.9% women; p < 0.001). The prevalence of hazardous drinkers was found to be 10.2% (95% CI 5.6-11.7), with the difference between men and women being statistically significant. The IPAQ-SF questionnaire indicated that 26.1% of students were sedentary. No relationship was observed between alcohol consumption and the level of physical activity. The frequency of hazardous drinkers was significantly higher in women (OR: 2.2) and in smokers (OR: 4.2). In conclusion, approximately 10% of nursing students can be considered hazardous drinkers, with significant differences between the sexes. The percentage is higher in women and in smokers. Strategies should be created that encourage healthy lifestyles, emphasizing preventive activities against excessive alcohol consumption. Furthermore, given the differences in excessive alcohol consumption between men and women, it would be advisable to include the gender perspective in these activities.

Swedish exchange students’ alcohol use, drug use, risky sexual behaviour, mental health, and self-rated health: A follow-up study

Aims: To follow up on exchange students’ alcohol use, drug use, mental health, self-rated health, and risky sexual behaviour after a semester abroad and to compare them with students who remained on campus. Methods: The study design was a follow-up study based on a previous baseline survey of 114 prospective exchange students and 451 campus students. Of the original 565 students, 48 (42.1%) prospective exchange students and 209 (43.3%) campus students responded to the follow-up. Both the baseline survey and the follow-up survey included the General Health Questionnaire 12, one single item from Self-Rated Health, and nine items from Knowledge, Attitudes and Sexual Behaviour in Young People in Sweden. Results: We found a statistically significant increase in the weekly consumption of alcohol among exchange students after their semester abroad. A larger proportion of exchange students had sex with a new partner and sex with more than three partners during their semester abroad compared to follow-up campus students. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that exchange students consume alcohol more frequently during their semester abroad and indulge in sexually risky behaviour. Exchange students’ use of alcohol and sexually risky behaviour could be associated with even greater risks due to them being in an unknown environment, unfamiliar culture, and with limited support from family and friends. This highlights the need for further research on exchange students’ experiences, especially concerning alcohol use and sex while abroad.

Association between mental health and academic performance among university undergraduates: The interacting role of lifestyle behaviors

OBJECTIVES

Impaired mental health status tends to be associated with poor academic performance, but few prospective studies have examined the association between mental health and academic performance among undergraduates while considering the interacting roles of multiple lifestyle behaviors.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

A total of 1823 Japanese undergraduate students (67% men) were followed up for 4 years. Their mental health status was measured by the six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). We defined poor academic performance as a grade point average (GPA) <2.0. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the relationship between the students' mental health status and the incident risk of poor academic performance.

RESULTS

Our analyses revealed that impaired mental health status in the first semester of university study significantly predicted an increased incident risk of poor academic performance during the overall undergraduate period. This association remained significant when the health lifestyle behaviors were adjusted, and the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for poor academic performance was 1.62 (1.18-2.23). This significant association disappeared in the low-lifestyle-behavior-risk group.

CONCLUSION

Impaired mental health status in the first semester significantly predicts an increased incident risk of poor academic performance during the undergraduate period.

Trait- and State-Fear of Missing Out: Influences on Alcohol Craving and Drinking Likelihood

OBJECTIVE

A growing body of research implicates Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) as a risk factor for collegiate alcohol use. However, little research has explored the causal mechanisms of this association, which may depend on examining FoMO at both trait and state levels. We therefore examined how predispositions toward experiencing FoMO (i.e., trait-FoMO) interacted with state-level cues indicating that one was "missing out" (i.e., state-FoMO) and cues indicating the presence or absence of alcohol.

METHOD

College students (n = 544) participating in an online experiment completed a measure of trait-FoMO and were then randomly assigned to one of four guided-imagery script conditions (FoMO/Alcohol cue, FoMO/No Alcohol cue, No FoMO/Alcohol cue, No FoMO/No Alcohol cue). Participants then completed measures of alcohol craving and drinking likelihood for the given scenario.

RESULTS

Two hierarchical regressions (one per dependent variable) revealed significant two-way interactions. Greater trait-FoMO demonstrated the strongest, positive associations with alcohol craving following scenarios with FoMO cues present. Reported drinking likelihood was strongest when state-level cues for FoMO and alcohol were both present, moderate when either cue was independently present, and lowest when both cues were absent.

CONCLUSIONS

FoMO's impact on alcohol craving and drinking likelihood varied across trait/state levels. Although trait-FoMO was associated with alcohol craving, state-level cues indicating "missing out" affected both alcohol-related variables and interacted with alcohol cues in imagery scenarios to predict drinking likelihood. Although additional research is needed, targeting psychological variables related to meaningful social connection may reduce collegiate alcohol use with respect to FoMO.

The developmental unfolding of substance use disorder symptoms and academic achievement in the transition into and out of college

This study aimed to explore the prospective associations between both alcohol and cannabis use (frequency and DSM-5 substance use disorder symptom counts) as they relate to academic performance over a period of ∼ four years. The study members were students enrolled in college in the Southeastern United States (N = 209, 62 % female, 90 % white). Baseline survey data were obtained in the first year of college while participants finished the follow-up assessments ∼ 1 and ∼ 4 years from baseline (80+ % retention rates). We aimed to tease apart antecedent from consequence in the associations between substance use and academic performance using a sophisticated modeling technique that accounts for between-person influences in evaluating within-person change over time. Results showed that greater alcohol use disorder symptoms in the first year of college were associated with a within-person decline in grades in the second year of college. This was not demonstrated for alcohol or cannabis frequency, alcohol quantity, or cannabis use disorder symptoms or in relation to the later developmental transition out of college. In addition to widely implemented prevention efforts, these results indicate that screening first-year college students for alcohol use disorder symptoms and connecting them with resources and treatment may be beneficial in attempts to promote academic performance.

Relational Competence, School Adjustment and Emotional Skills: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Group of Junior and High School Students of the Sicilian Hinterland

Research has demonstrated the influence of emotional adjustment on the manifestation of problematic behaviors in adolescence, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the present research is to investigate the role of self-esteem and relational skills on school performance in a group of middle and high school students during the COVID-19 period. The research involved 392 students, aged between 11 and 20 (M = 13.78; S.D. = 2.56). Participants completed the following instruments: an anamnestic constructed ad hoc questionnaire; the Interpersonal Relationships Test, in order to evaluate the perception of adolescents concerning the quality of their relationships in social, family and school contexts; and the Multidimensional Test of Self-Esteem, structured in six scales, which coincide with the dimensions considered constitutive of self-esteem. The preliminary data have shown how the older girls, attending the high school, tend to manifest a higher level of social competence with peer group and teachers. Furthermore, the perception of a reduced emotional self-efficacy but an elevated environmental control and good interpersonal skills seem to predict the school adjustment. Understanding adolescents' perceptions of difficulties and their social support networks can offer some insight into how major social changes can be associated with individual well-being, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Analysis of AUDIT Domains in Freshman Students in Spain: Three Cross-Sectional Surveys (2005, 2012 and 2016)

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate changes in the frequency of drinking, alcohol dependence and alcohol-related harm in freshman college students from 2005, 2012 and 2016, and identify risk-associated factors. Method: A cross-sectional study involving 5009 freshman students was carried out in Spain in 2005, 2012 and 2016. The Dimensions of Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (frequency of drinking, symptoms of dependence and alcohol-related harm) was analysed. Adjusted relative risks (RRs) and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated using negative binomial regression. Results: Place of residence, positive expectancies and early onset of alcohol consumption continue to be crucial conditions for developing patterns of risky consumption, alcohol dependence and harm. Women and men were more vulnerable to alcohol harm and dependence when living away from home, having higher economic status and positive alcohol expectancies. Cohorts from 2012 and 2016 were at lower risk of risky alcohol consumption. Men belonging to the 2012 and 2016 cohorts were at lower risk of alcohol negative consequences compared with the 2005 cohort. However, women remained vulnerable over time to alcohol dependence and harm. Starting drinking after 16 protects them both from alcohol dependence and harm. Conclusions: Women are more vulnerable to alcohol dependence and harm in recent cohorts of freshmen. Limiting access to alcohol at a younger age and working on false positive expectancies could benefit freshmen by avoiding alcohol damage and alcohol dependence.

Do Differences in Drinking Attitudes and Alcohol-Related Problems Explain Differences in Sick Leave? A Multilevel Analysis of 95 Work Units Within 14 Companies From the WIRUS Study

Background

Systematic reviews have shown a strong relationship between alcohol consumption and sick leave. The effect of alcohol consumption on sick leave may, however, vary according to the work environment. While attitudes toward drinking may impact sick leave, there is little research on the contribution of drinking attitudes to sick leave. Moreover, alcohol-related problems and drinking attitudes may be influenced by the broader sociocultural contexts of the organizational units where people work.

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the relationship of alcohol-related problems and drinking attitudes with sick leave while considering the nesting of employees within working units within companies.

Method

Data from the WIRUS (Workplace Interventions preventing Risky alcohol Use and Sick leave) study were linked to company-registered sick leave data for 2,560 employees from 95 different work units in public (n = 9) and private companies (n = 5) in Norway. Three-level (employee, work unit, and company) negative binomial regression models were estimated to explore the 12-month prospective association of alcohol-related problems and drinking attitudes with four measures of sick leave (one-day, short-term, long-term, and overall sick leave days). Models were adjusted for gender, age, cohabitation status, educational attainment, work position, and employment sector.

Results

We observed higher variation of one-day, short-term, and overall sick leave days between companies than between work units within companies (15, 12, and 30% vs. 0, 5, and 8%, respectively). However, neither alcohol-related problems nor drinking attitudes were associated with sick leave and, thus, those variations in sick leave were not explained by alcohol-related problems or drinking attitudes.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest company-level differences are more important than within company differences when explaining differences in sick leave. While alcohol-related problems or drinking attitudes were not associated with sick leave, future studies may need to explore the role of company policies, practices, or social norms in variations in sick leave rates.

Academic Achievements, Satisfaction with Studies and Risky Behaviours among First-Year Students of Kaunas (Lithuania) Universities, 2000-2017

Risky behaviours are prevalent among university students and may affect academic achievements. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between academic achievements, satisfaction with studies and risky behaviours among first-year students of Kaunas (Lithuania) universities. Three cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2000, 2010, and 2017. The self-administered questionnaires were filled in during lectures and assessed frequency and amount of alcohol consumption, drinking problems (CAGE test), smoking and drug use frequency, and academic achievements. The associations between risky behaviours and academic achievements were analysed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Altogether 3325 students (1341 men and 1984 women) aged 20.0 (1.5) years participated in the survey. The proportion of students who consumed alcohol at least once a week and drank 11 or more standard alcoholic units (SAU) a week decreased. Every fifth student reported a drinking problem. Daily smoking prevalence declined, and drug use increased among male students. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that frequent alcohol consumption and problem drinking were associated with low importance of good grades. Students who rated their academic performance below average and were dissatisfied with studies were more likely to consume ≥11 SAU a week. Daily smoking was more common among students who reported low importance of good grades and academic performance below average. A higher prevalence of drug use was found only in male students who declared low importance of good grades. Health promoting interventions at the individual and student community level are required to reduce the prevalence of substance use and improve the academic achievements of students.

Back to life, back to reality: A multi-level dynamic network analysis of student mental health upon return to campus during the COVID-19 pandemic

Lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in drastic disruptions of university students' everyday life and study mode, such as marked reductions in face-to-face teaching activities. Previous research on student mental health during the pandemic found that prolonged campus relocation had negative effects on students' mental well-being. However, these studies focussed on the initial lockdown period, or periods of active lockdown measures. This longitudinal study collected 456 observations of 23 undergraduate students in the Netherlands using ecological momentary assessment data on mental health related items (anxiety, stress, social context) during the first two weeks of on-campus teaching after prolonged lockdown measures. Using multi-level dynamic network modelling, we analysed the temporal and contemporaneous interplay of students' mental health factors following the return to campus in September 2021. On average, students reported low to medium scores on stress and anxiety both before and after the assessment period. Results of network analyses showed that students experienced social unease in relation to accumulating difficulties at university and vice versa. Furthermore, there were clusters of different states of social unease next to clusters of stress, anger, loss of control, and feeling upset. Lastly, we found beneficial effects of self-efficacy on experiencing social comfort in university. We discuss implications and concrete examples of interventions in universities, such as the promotion of self-efficacy, providing guidance in structuring study load, as well as help with stress management.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-022-03196-7.

Key questions: research priorities for student mental health

BACKGROUND

The high prevalence of mental distress among university students is gaining academic, policy and public attention. As the volume of research into student mental health increases, it is important to involve students to ensure that the evidence produced can translate into meaningful improvements.

AIMS

For the first time, we consult UK students about their research priorities on student mental health.

METHOD

This priority setting exercise involved current UK university students who were asked to submit three research questions relating to student mental health. Responses were aggregated into themes through content analysis and considered in the context of existing research. Students were involved throughout the project, including inception, design, recruitment, analysis and dissemination.

RESULTS

UK university students (N = 385) submitted 991 questions, categorised into seven themes: epidemiology, causes and risk factors, academic factors and work-life balance, sense of belonging, intervention and services, mental health literacy and consequences. Across themes, respondents highlighted the importance of understanding the experience of minority groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Students are interested in understanding the causes and consequences of poor mental health at university, across academic and social domains. They would like to improve staff and students' knowledge about mental health, and have access to evidence-based support. Future research should take a broad lens to evaluate interventions; considering how services are designed and delivered, and investigating institutional and behavioural barriers to accessibility, including how this varies across different groups within the student population.

Associations between Mental Resilience, Mood, Coping, Personality, and Hangover Severity

Extensive research exists on relationships between psychological constructs and alcohol consumption. However, research on relationships with hangover severity remains limited. This study aimed to assess the associations between mental resilience, mood (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress), coping, personality, and hangover severity. A total of N = 690 participants completed an online survey by answering questions regarding their demographics, alcohol use, hangover prevalence and severity, and several psychological assessments (Brief Resilience Scale, DASS-21, Brief Cope, and Brief Version of the Big Five Personality Inventory). Significant associations were found between hangover severity and mental resilience, mood, and avoidant coping. Higher levels of mental resilience were associated with less severe hangovers, whereas poorer mood was associated with more severe hangovers. No significant associations were found with personality traits. These findings demonstrate that several associations between psychological constructs and hangover severity exist and suggest a role of psychological factors in the pathology of the alcohol hangover. As our findings contrast with the results of previous studies that did not report an association between mental resilience and the presence and severity of hangovers, further research is warranted.

Perceived Neighborhood Environment Impacts on Health Behavior, Multi-Dimensional Health, and Life Satisfaction

The impacts of perceived neighborhood environment on adults' health and life satisfaction have drawn increasing academic attention. However, previous studies usually examine multi-dimensional (physical, mental, and perceived) health and life satisfaction separately, and few studies dealt with them simultaneously. Moreover, limited research revealed the mechanisms behind the effects of perceived neighborhood environment on health and life satisfaction, as well as how such effects are moderated by socio-demographics. Therefore, employing the 2016 China Family Panel Study Dataset and using structural equation modeling, this study delves into the complicated relationships among perceived neighborhood environment, health behavior, health outcomes (i.e., body mass index, self-rated health status, and depression), and life satisfaction. Notably, it considers mediation and moderation simultaneously. It finds: (1) Better perceived neighborhood environment significantly promotes physical activity and reduces sedentary behavior, smoking, and drinking; (2) Health behavior fully mediates the effects of perceived neighborhood environment on health; (3) Perceived neighborhood environment significantly affects life satisfaction both directly and indirectly (through health behavior and health outcomes); (4) Socio-demographics moderate the above relationships. This study disentangles the complicated impacts of perceived neighborhood environment on adults' multi-dimensional health and life satisfaction, thus providing policy makers and practitioners with nuanced knowledge for intervention.

Prenatal alcohol exposure and offspring subsequent alcohol use: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Prenatal alcohol exposure has been found to be associated with adverse physical and mental health outcomes in postnatal life, but the evidence is equivocal as to whether such exposure increases the risk of subsequent alcohol use in the offspring. We systematically reviewed the literature on the association between prenatal alcohol exposure and subsequent alcohol use in the offspring.

METHODS

Relevant primary studies were identified via systematic search of PubMed/Medline, SCOPUS, EMBASE and Psych-INFO databases. Articles were also retrieved by reviewing reference lists of the identified studies. Literature searches did not have language and date limits but were restricted to human studies. The revised Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the studies included in this review. The protocol of this study was prospectively registered in the PROSPERO.

RESULTS

Twelve observational studies, published between 1998 and 2020, were included in the final review. Eight studies (66.7%) reported an increased risk of alcohol use or increased level of alcohol drinking, two studies (16.7%) reported an increased risk of alcohol use disorder and one study (8.3%) reported an increased odds of alcohol sipping in offspring exposed to maternal prenatal alcohol use compared to non-exposed. However, one study (8.3%) reported insufficient statistical evidence for an association between prenatal alcohol exposure and offspring subsequent alcohol use. However, it should be noted that the large amount of variability across studies included in this review may limit more conclusive inference.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this review suggest a positive link between prenatal alcohol exposure and offspring's subsequent alcohol use. However, further mechanistic studies that allow stronger causal inference are warranted to further elucidate specific causal pathways.

Dynamic change meets mechanisms of change: Examining mediators in the latent change score framework

Researchers in behavioral sciences are often interested in longitudinal behavior change outcomes and the mechanisms that influence changes in these outcomes over time. The statistical models that are typically implemented to address these research questions do not allow for investigation of mechanisms of dynamic change over time. However, latent change score models allow for dynamic change (not just linear or exponential change) over time and have flexibility in parameter constraints that other longitudinal models do not have. Developmental researchers also frequently utilize mediation analyses to investigate mechanisms of influence in longitudinal research implemented in path analytic or latent growth curve models. In this article, we provide three examples of how mediation can be tested in the latent change score framework by combining aspects of traditional mediation models with latent change score models of repeated measures outcomes (and mediators and predictors) with more than two timepoints. We also provide the Mplus syntax to complete these analyses and practical considerations of latent change score mediation (LCSM) models.

The Association Between Alcohol-Related Problems and Sleep Quality and Duration Among College Students: a Multicountry Pooled Analysis

Alcohol consumption and sleep disorders are both prevalent and relevant problems among college students, but the relationship between these conditions is unclear. This study aimed to analyze the association between alcohol-related problems and sleep in first-year college students from Brazil, Chile, and Spain. Cross-sectional analyses were performed with data from three independent studies with first-year college students from each country. The risk of alcohol-related problems (RARP) and sleep quality and duration were self-reported using mixed methods. Pooled odds ratios (p-OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of suboptimal sleep quality and of short (< 7 h) and long (> 8 h) sleep duration were estimated according to RARP adjusting for the main confounders. Of the 1830 students included (31.2% Brazilian, 42.2% Chilean, and 26.6% Spanish), 61.6% were female, and the mean age was 20.0 ± 3.6 years. Overall, 25.0% and 9.9% of the students were classified as intermediate and high RARP, respectively. In the combined results for the three countries, intermediate-to-high RARP was associated with a higher likelihood of suboptimal sleep quality (p-OR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.52; I2 heterogeneity statistics: 43.0%), regardless of sociodemographic and lifestyle covariates and of self-rated health. The frequency of alcohol consumption was not associated with sleep quality or sleep duration. In this multicountry pooled analysis, first-year college students at risk of alcohol-related problems were more likely to report worse sleep quality. The coexistence of alcohol-related problems and sleep disorders could potentiate its adverse health effects among these young adults.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11469-022-00763-8.

Academic performance under COVID-19: The role of online learning readiness and emotional competence

The COVID-19 pandemic caused school closures and social isolation, which created both learning and emotional challenges for adolescents. Schools worked hard to move classes online, but less attention was paid to whether students were cognitively and emotionally ready to learn effectively in a virtual environment. This study focused on online learning readiness and emotional competence as key constructs to investigate their implications for students' academic performance during the COVID-19 period. Two groups of students participated in this study, with 1,316 high school students (Mean age = 16.32, SD = 0.63) representing adolescents and 668 college students (Mean age = 20.20, SD = 1.43) representing young adults. Structural equation modeling was conducted to explore the associations among online learning readiness, emotional competence, and online academic performance during COVID-19 after controlling for pre-COVID-19 academic performance. The results showed that, for high school students, both online learning readiness and emotional competence were positively associated with online academic performance during COVID-19. However, for college students, only online learning readiness showed a significant positive relationship with online academic performance during COVID-19. These results demonstrated that being ready to study online and having high emotional competence could make adolescents more resilient toward COVID-19-related challenges and help them learn more effectively online. This study also highlighted different patterns of associations among cognitive factors, emotional factors, and online academic performance during COVID-19 in adolescence and young adulthood. Developmental implications were also discussed.

Personal and Social Consequences of Psychotropic Substance Use: A Population-Based Internet Survey

Background and objectives: Drug abuse has become a major worldwide health concern among all age groups. The present study analyses substance misuse and its social and personal consequences using a population-based internet survey in Spain. Materials and Methods: Screening for drug abuse (of alcohol, marijuana/hashish and psychostimulants) and its related risks and problems was performed using the Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, Trouble (CRAFFT) score. Socio-demographic factors, depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms as well as health habits were also evaluated. We used Linear regression methods to compare each variable's individual contribution so as to determine which one best explains the results. Results: In this population-based study, 1224 people completed and returned the online survey. Of all participants, 57% reported consuming at least one substance based on the CRAFFT scale. While increasing age reduces the probability of personal and social consequences of consumption, people who smoke receive up to three times more (OR = 3.370) recommendations from family and friends to reduce their consumption. As for the type of substance, the consumption of marijuana increases the risk of forgetting (OR = 2.33) and the consumption of other psychostimulant substances almost triples the risk of consuming alone (OR = 2.965). Combining substances can increase the rate of driving a vehicle after consumption by 3.4 times. Conclusions: Although age, smoking and the type of substances used increase the risk of suffering from social and personal consequences of the use or abuse of substances, future studies are needed to determine the influence of new variables as a potential tool for treating and minimizing the adverse consequences of drug abuse.

Density of alcohol-selling outlets and prices are associated with frequent binge drinking in Mexico

Despite the increase in the prevalence of binge drinking in Mexico studies focus on sociodemographic factors and little attention is paid on contextual factors. We estimated the association between density of alcohol outlets, price of alcoholic beverages, and binge drinking in Mexico among the population aged 12 to 65 years old who consumed alcohol during the last 12 months. Data come from different sources for alcohol consumption; availability of bar, nightclubs, saloons and stores that sell alcohol and prices of alcoholic beverages. We estimated generalized linear models for binary outcomes for the relationship between density of alcohol outlets and prices of alcoholic beverages with binge drinking at least once per year, at least once per month, and at least once per week controlling for sex, age, religion, household income and municipality size. Living in areas with a high density of alcohol-selling outlets was associated with a higher risk of binge drinking, at least once a year (RR 1.0, 95% CI: 1.0,1.1) at least once a month (RR 1.3, 95% CI: 1.2, 1.4) and weekly (RR 1.9, 95% CI: 1.6, 2.2). Living in States with lower alcohol prices was marginally associated to binge drinking at least once a year (RR 1.0, 95% CI: 1.0, 1.1) but more strongly associated to monthly (RR 1.2, 95% CI: 1.2, 1.4) and weekly binge drinking (RR 1.4, 95% CI: 1.3, 1.6). Along with strong fiscal policies, the implementation of spatial restrictions to the number of alcohol-selling outlets could help decrease binge drinking.

Investigating sensation seeking as a predictor of false identification attainment and associated risks among a college student sample

BACKGROUND

To date, few studies have included false identification (fake ID) use as a specific health risk behavior despite the fact that research has established a link between fake ID attainment and problematic alcohol use in a college student sample. The present study investigated the role of risk seeking, a facet of sensation seeking, in fake ID attainment, and the relation between fake ID attainment and risk seeking in predicting problematic drinking.

METHODS

Data were collected using a cross-sectional survey battery from a sample of college students at a large, Colorado university. Analyses included penalized likelihood and negative binomial regression models.

RESULTS

and Conclusions: Risk seeking positively predicted fake ID attainment. Additionally, a negative binomial hurdle model established that, controlling for 30-day alcohol use, both fake ID attainment and risk seeking predicted being drunk in the past 30 days. The role of risk seeking and fake ID attainment in problematic drinking outcomes is important to consider for informing prevention and intervention efforts in a college student population.

Snus and Alcohol: Mutually Rewarding Effects in the Brain? A Matched Controlled Population Study

Background:

The use of moist smokeless tobacco (snus) is increasing in the U.S. and other Western countries, and especially among young people. Snus is associated with several health problems, but the relationship between use of snus and alcohol is scarcely explored. Neuro-cognitive and psychological research suggest an association due to possible mutually rewarding effects in the limbic brain. We investigated this issue in a matched controlled population study.

Methods:

Matched control group design where drinking habits and alcohol consumption in a group of users of snus (n = 1043, mean age = 35.20; n men = 749, n women = 294) were compared to a control group of non-users matched on age and gender (n = 1043, mean age = 35.65; n men = 749, n women = 294). In addition, we registered background variables such as level of education, income, self-perceived general, dental health, mental health, current depressive symptoms, and BMI. In estimation of alcohol consumption, the background variables were used as covariates in factorial analyses of variance (ANCOVA).

Results:

Users of snus had lower level of education, lower income, poorer general, dental, and mental health status than non-users, but there were no differences in BMI. Differences in mental health status were related to drinking habits. Users of snus had a higher frequency of drinking, higher frequency of intoxication, and showed more excess drinking. Controlled for background variables users of snus had a 25.2% higher estimated yearly consumption of alcohol in terms of standard units of alcohol on the weekdays, 26.4% higher on weekends and a 60.2% higher yearly excess consumption.

Conclusion:

Users of snus had an elevated alcohol consumption and another drinking style than non-users. The findings are discussed according to neuro-cognitive and psychopharmacological mechanisms, reward learning and conditioning. The results have implications for prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of alcohol and nicotine dependence.

Factors associated with alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use among Brazilian undergraduate students

OBJECTIVES

to analyze the factors associated with the use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs among Brazilian undergraduate students.

METHODS

observational, cross-sectional study, with convenience sampling, conducted in 2014/2015, involving institutional data and a self-completed online questionnaire, analyzed using measures of frequency, central tendency/dispersion and logistic regression.

RESULTS

among 126,326 students, 62.8% reported alcohol use; 11%, tobacco; and 7.5%, illicit drugs. Several academic factors-such as not residing with family (sororities [alcohol: aOR:2.38;95%CI:2.28-2.48; tobacco: AOR:2.20;95%CI:2.09-2.33; illicit drugs: AOR:2.53;95%CI:2.38-2.70]), acting in university movements (student [alcohol: AOR:1.74;95%CI:1.65-1.83; tobacco: AOR:1.97;95%CI:1.86-2.08; illicit drugs: AOR:2.43;95%CI:2.28-2.59] and religious [alcohol: AOR:0.28;95%CI:0.26-0.29; tobacco: AOR:0.23;95%CI:0.21-0.26; illicit drugs: AOR:0.18;95%CI:0.16-0.21]) and lack of discipline/study habit (alcohol: AOR:1.41;95%CI:1.37-1.45; tobacco: AOR:1.53;95%CI:1.46-1.59; illicit drugs: AOR:1.85;95%CI:1.76-1.94) - were associated with the use of the three categories of substances.

CONCLUSIONS

we identified that a number of academic factors are associated with licit and illicit drug use. These findings may help in designing preventive strategies among college students.

Increased Screen Time Is Associated With Alcohol Desire and Sweetened Foods Consumption During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Elevated screen time has been associated with addictive behaviors, such as alcohol and sugar intake and smoking. Considering the substantial increase in screen time caused by social isolation policies, this study aimed to analyze the association of increased screen time in different devices during the COVID-19 pandemic with consumption and increased desire of alcohol, smoking, and sweetened foods in adults. Methods: A sample of 1,897 adults with a mean age of 37.9 (13.3) years was assessed by an online survey, being composed by 58% of women. Participants were asked whether screen time in television, cell phone, and computer increased during the pandemic, as well as how much time is spent in each device. Closed questions assessed the frequency of alcohol and sweetened food consumption, smoking, and an increased desire to drink and smoke during the pandemic. Educational level, age, sex, feeling of stress, anxiety, depression, and use of a screen device for physical activity were covariates. Binary logistic regression models considered adjustment for covariates and for mutual habits. Results: Increased television time was associated with increased desire to drink (OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.12; 1.89) and increased sweetened food consumption (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.18; 1.99), while an increase in computer use was negatively associated with consumption of alcohol (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.53; 0.86) and sweetened foods (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.62; 0.98). Increased cell phone time was associated with increased sweetened food consumption during the pandemic (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.18; 2.67). Participants with increased time in the three devices were less likely to consume sweetened foods for ≥5 days per week (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.39; 0.99) but were twice as likely to have sweetened food consumption increased during pandemic (OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.07; 3.88). Conclusion: Increased screen time was differently associated with consumption and desire for alcohol and sweets according to screen devices. Increased time in television and cell phones need to be considered for further investigations of behavioral impairments caused by the pandemic.

Risk, Protective, and Associated Factors of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms and Campus Health Services Utilization Among Black Men on a College Campus

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to analyze relationships among social and environmental determinants serving as risk, protective, and important covariate factors for mental health risk and help-seeking among Black men on a college campus.

METHODS

A secondary data analysis was conducted utilizing an ongoing, campus-wide survey at a large, urban, public university. Measures included depressive and anxiety symptoms; campus service utilization; risk factors (e.g., financial status); protective factors (social support/religiosity); and additional covariates (substance use/GPA). Multiple linear regressions were conducted to examine relationships between these factors, symptoms and help-seeking.

RESULTS

Data is included for 681 students. Findings indicated that stressful life events were associated with higher levels of anxiety symptoms (B = 0.39, p < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (B = 0.33, p = 0.013). Cannabis use (B = 1.14, p = .020) was also associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. We found that financial status (B = 0.21, p = 0.041) was positively associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms and endorsement of religiosity was associated with lower levels anxiety (B = - 0.23, p = 0.019) and depressive symptoms (B = - 0.32, p = 0.035). Religiosity predicted lower utilization of campus health services.

CONCLUSIONS

The key findings indicated that Black men's mental health is negatively influenced by stressful live events and cannabis use. As religiosity was associated with lower levels of symptoms and utilization, it may be beneficial to assess this in future work. Further research is needed to address and improve mental health and help-seeking among these men.

Evaluation of a Community-Based Harm Reduction Intervention Aimed at Adjudicated College Students

The purpose of this study was to develop, test, and use an instrument to measure the effectiveness of a community-based, mandated drug education intervention program, Youthful Offenders Program (YOP), targeting college students at risk. A total of N = 350 students voluntarily agreed to participate in an evaluation of program effectiveness using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and a newly developed measure to compare changes in substance related behaviors over time. Results revealed sound psychometric structure for the new scale for use in program evaluation; results suggest that YOP significantly enhanced safety practices and reduced hazardous drinking and recidivism, but not avoidance of risky behaviors.

Satisfaction With Life, Mental Health Problems and Potential Alcohol-Related Problems Among Norwegian University Students

Objective: Recent studies have shown that today's college students more than ever are struggling with mental health and alcohol problems. While poor satisfaction with life and mental health problems have been linked to higher alcohol consumption, there is still a lack of studies examining in detail the shape and nature of the relationship between mental health and alcohol consumption. Aim: To investigate the associations between satisfaction with life, mental health problems and potential alcohol-related problems among Norwegian university students. The shape of the associations was also examined. Methods: Data were drawn from a 2018 national survey of students in higher education in Norway (the SHoT-study). Associations between satisfaction with life, mental health problems and potential alcohol-related problems (AUDIT; risky and harmful alcohol use) were investigated using logistic regression. Both crude models and models adjusted for age, gender and marital status were conducted. To investigate the shape of the associations, logistic regression with quadric and cubic terms was tested. Results: Decreased satisfaction with life and increased mental health problems were associated with potential alcohol-related problems. For satisfaction with life, a curvilinear association with risky alcohol use and a linear association with harmful alcohol use was identified. For mental health problems, curvilinear associations were found for both risky and harmful alcohol use. Conclusion: Many students report potential alcohol-related problems. Students with harmful alcohol use seem to be more at risk of reduced satisfaction with life and increased mental health problems than students with risky alcohol use. Educational institutions may be an ideal setting for raising awareness of mental health issues and responsible alcohol consumption among students. The present study contributes with important information about the shape of the associations between satisfaction with life, mental health problems and potential alcohol-related problems in the student population.

Gambling and Alcohol Problems during the College Years: Personality, Physical and Emotional Health and Gambling Beliefs

Gambling and alcohol problems commonly co-occur during emerging adulthood. Co-occurring problems may relates to personality factors, physical health, mental health and gambling belief systems. In a large sample of colleges students (N = 513), we examined alcohol, gambling and co-occurring problem groups relative to a group without alcohol or gambling problems from large sample of college students. Group differences were found on Constraint and Negative Emotionality (ps ≤ .05). All three groups had a higher score on gamblers' beliefs of illusion of control compared to the group with no problems (all ps < .05). Those with co-occurring problems had a higher score on illusion of control beliefs than those with alcohol problems only. For luck/perseverance gambling beliefs, those with co-occurring problems had higher levels than other groups on these beliefs. The group with alcohol problems and significantly poorer mental health outcomes than those without alcohol or gambling problems. Individuals with gambling problems or alcohol problems only had significantly poorer self-rated overall physical health (p < .01). Differences were found between groups (alcohol, gambling, alcohol + gambling and neither) on self-rated energy and fatigue as well as pain (ps < .05). Gambling and alcohol problems may relate to emotional and health problems, and personality and belief systems may be related to the co-occurrence of gambling and alcohol problems.

Does alcohol cue inhibitory control training survive a context shift?

Inhibitory control training (ICT) is a novel psychological intervention that aims to improve inhibitory control in response to alcohol-related cues through associative learning. Laboratory studies have demonstrated reductions in alcohol consumption following ICT compared with control/sham training, but it is unclear if these effects are robust to a change of context. In a preregistered study, we examined whether the effects of ICT would survive a context shift from a neutral context to a seminaturalistic bar setting. In a mixed design, 60 heavy drinkers (40 female) were randomly allocated to receive either ICT or control/sham training in a neutral laboratory over 2 sessions. We developed a novel variation of ICT that used multiple stop signals to establish direct stimulus-stop associations. The effects of ICT/control were measured once in the same context and once following a shift to a novel (alcohol-related) context. Our dependent variables were ad libitum alcohol consumption following training, change in inhibitory control processes, and change in alcohol value. ICT did not reduce alcohol consumption in either context compared with the control group. Furthermore, we demonstrated no effects of ICT on inhibitory control processes or alcohol value. Bayesian analyses demonstrated overall support for the null hypotheses. This study failed to find any effects of ICT on alcohol consumption or candidate psychological mechanisms. These findings illustrate the difficulty in training alcohol-inhibition associations and add to a growing body of literature suggesting that ICT holds little evidential value as a psychological intervention for alcohol use disorders. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Lifestyle, Quality of Life, and Health Promotion Needs in Mexican University Students: Important Differences by Sex and Academic Discipline

Few studies have evaluated and contrasted the lifestyles and quality of life of university students by academic discipline. We compared university students’ lifestyle and quality of life, and schools’ compliance with health promotion guidelines. Then, needs were ranked and prioritized. This was a cross-sectional study carried out in a public university in Northeastern Mexico. Higher education students with no visual or hearing impairment from six different academic disciplines were included (N = 5443). A self-administered and anonymous questionnaire was applied that included the HPLP (Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile) and SF-12 scales. A check list was employed for measuring 26 on-site schools’ compliance with health promotion guidelines, and needs were ranked using Z-scores. The mean lifestyle was 53.9 ± 14.8 and the mean quality of life was 69.7 ± 5. Men had healthier lifestyles with more exercise and better stress management. The mean compliance with health promotion guidelines was 58.7%. Agricultural Sciences students had the highest need for improving both lifestyle and quality of life. Arts, Education, and Humanities, Engineering and Technology, and Social and Administrative Sciences schools ranked first in need for health promotion actions. The methodology used allowed hierarchization of areas requiring planning and implementation of specific actions, and the results indicated that healthy lifestyles and quality of life should be a priority.

Neurocognitive predictors of treatment completion and daytime activities at follow-up in multiproblem young adults

Previous research has shown an association between cognitive control deficits and problematic behavior such as antisocial behavior and substance use, but little is known about the predictive value of cognitive control for treatment outcome. The current study tests whether selected markers of baseline cognitive control predict (1) treatment completion of a day treatment program involving a combination of approaches for multiproblem young adults and (2) daytime activities a year after the start of treatment, over and above psychological, social, and criminal characteristics. We assessed individual, neurobiological, and neurobehavioral measures, including functional brain activity during an inhibition task and two electroencephalographic measures of error processing in 127 male multiproblem young adults (age 18-27 years). We performed two hierarchical regression models to test the predictive power of cognitive control for treatment completion and daytime activities at follow-up. The overall models did not significantly predict treatment completion or daytime activities at follow-up. However, activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) during response inhibition, years of regular alcohol use, internalizing problems, and ethnicity were all significant individual predictors of daytime activity at follow-up. In conclusion, cognitive control could not predict treatment completion or daytime activities a year after the start of treatment over and above individual characteristics. However, results indicate a direct association between brain activity during response inhibition and participation in daytime activities, such as work or school, after treatment. As adequate baseline inhibitory control is associated with a positive outcome at follow-up, this suggests interventions targeting cognitive control might result in better outcomes at follow-up.

Depressive symptoms among orphans and vulnerable adolescents in childcare homes in Nepal: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Orphans and vulnerable adolescents (OVAs) living in child care homes (CCHs) are vulnerable to depressive symptoms due to a poor environment and a lack of receiving good care and love from their parents. This study aimed to estimate the presence of depressive symptoms and determine factors associated with it among OVAs living in CCHs in Nepal.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect the information from OVAs aged 13-17 years living in 22 CCHs from five districts of Nepal. The CCHs were selected by a simple random method. A validated questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) were used to assess depressive symptoms among the participants. Those with mild to severe BDI-II scores were defined as having clinically relevant depressive symptoms. Logistic regression was used to detect associations between variables at the significance level α = 0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 602 adolescents participated in the study; 51.0% were females, the average age was 14.7 years, and 32.2% were members of indigenous groups. The overall presence of clinically relevant depressive symptoms was 33.2%. After controlling for all potential confounding factors, five factors were found to be associated with depress among OVAs. Females were 1.96 times more likely to develop depressive symptoms than males (95% CI = 1.36-2.83). Those adolescents who used alcohol were 3.42 times more likely to develop depressive symptoms than those who did not (95% CI = 1.16-10.12). Those who had health problems were 2.00 times more likely to develop depressive symptoms than those who did not (95% CI = 1.36-2.94). Those who had low social support were 1.81 times more likely to develop depressive symptoms than those who had high social support (95% CI = 1.08-3.03), and those who had been bullied were 1.97 times more likely to develop depressive symptoms than those who were not bullied (95% CI = 1.23-3.15).

CONCLUSION

The magnitude of clinically relevant depressive symptoms in adolescents living in CCHs was found to be high in Nepal. There is an urgent need for effective intervention to curtail this problem among OVAs in CCHs in Nepal, with a focus on females, alcohol users, those with physical health problems and with less social support, and those who are bullied.

Individual and Environmental Factors Associated with Tobacco Smoking, Alcohol Abuse and Illegal Drug Consumption in University Students: A Mediating Analysis

Substance abuse is a major and prevalent public health concern among university students. Tobacco smoking, risky alcohol behavior, and illegal drug consumption may lead to health problems and behavioral and academic issues. Several individual and environmental factors associate with substance abuse in this population, and the mediating effect of alcohol abuse in the relationship between tobacco smoking and drug consumption is yet to be explored. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the association of individual and environmental factors and substance use, and to analyze the relationship between tobacco smoking, alcohol abuse, and drug consumption, considering alcohol abuse as a possible mediator. A total of 550 Spanish undergraduate and postgraduate students completed several questionnaires regarding their smoking status, alcohol use, and drug consumption during the last six months. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to explore associations between factors. Direct, indirect and mediating effects were tested using a partial least squares approach (PLS-SEM). The results indicated that substance abuse is associated with being male, living with other students, and combined substance consumption. PLS-SEM showed a significant effect of tobacco smoking and alcohol abuse on drug consumption. Alcohol abuse plays a mediating role in the relationship between tobacco smoking and drug use.

University Student Health and Wellbeing Study: A test-retest reliability study of a web-based survey investigating undergraduate student health and wellbeing

ISSUE ADDRESSED

Understanding the health behaviours of Australian university students and their impact on wellbeing and academic success is important; however, there are limited reliable, population level survey tools to measure student health across a range of domains. The purpose of the research was to determine the reliability of the web-based University Student Health and Wellbeing Study (USHWS) survey via a test-retest reliability study within a large Australian university student population.

METHODS

A test-retest of the measurement instrument was completed by a sample of university students (n = 195) over a two-week period. The instrument assessed alcohol and tobacco use, mental health, sexual health, physical activity, nutrition and sun protective behaviours. Test-retest reliability was analysed using two-way random effects model of intraclass correlations (ICC) and AC₁ coefficient for individual measurements with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

RESULTS

Questions on demographics, general health, nutrition, sun protection, alcohol and tobacco use, mental health and sexual health had fair to high reliability (ICCs range from 0.32 to 1.00). Reliability of some physical activity items were poor with large variability (ICC = 0.15, 95% CI 0.01-0.28 to 0.86, 95% CI 0.82-0.89).

CONCLUSIONS

A majority of the USHWS survey items represented a moderate to high test-retest reliability. Variability and poor reliability of physical activity questions may be due to survey implementation time and usual behaviour changes. SO WHAT?: The USHWS survey is reliable instrument to assess Australian university student health at a population level with the aim of informing effective programming, policy and initiatives.

SUMMARY

The University Student Health and Wellbeing Study (USHWS) survey is a foundational tool to understand university student's health in Australia. The USHWS reported fair to high reliability with few physical activity items showing lower reliability. Greater variability may be due to usual day-to-day fluctuations in behaviour.