Prevalence and correlates of binge drinking among young adults using alcohol: a cross-sectional survey (original) (raw)
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The Social Consequences of Binge Drinking Among 24- to 32-Year-Olds in Six European Countries
Substance Use & Misuse, 2010
and the United Kingdom (UK) responded to questions about their drinking habits and social consequences directly resulting from their drinking. Survey methods varied from quota sampling with face-to-face interviewing in Spain and the UK to telephone surveys in Denmark and Sweden. Response rates varied from 50% to 72%. "Binge drinking" defined as a usual amount of more than 8 UK "units" for men and more than 6 units for women was more likely than moderate drinking to lead to social consequences, fights, or being asked to cut down on drinking. There were highly significant differences between the countries both in the percentages of "heavy" drinkers and in the adverse consequences of binge drinking. In Spain, the UK, and the Czech Republic binge drinking was more likely to lead to adverse consequences than was binge drinking in the other three countries. Male gender, low educational level, high drinking frequency, and single marital status were also significantly associated with adverse social consequences from drinking, but none of these variables explained the country differences. The presence of children had little effect.
Young people, young adults and binge drinking
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, 2019
Summary Introduction and purpose The consumption of alcohol among young people and young adults has undergone, in recent decades, a sharp upsurge with the increasingly frequent intake of large quantities of alcohol. The aim of our study was to investigate socio-demographic, economic and behavioural factors that have a major impact on the voluntary alcohol habit in young people. Methods The survey was conducted via administration of an anonymous questionnaire based on “the WHO Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test”, disseminated on-line, to young people and young adults (aged 18 to 35). Results We examined a sample of 365 subjects. Consumption of wine and beer were predominant followed by super-alcohol mixes. We found correlations between alcohol use and the following variables: marital status (p < 0.001), parental education (mother p < 0.05; father p < 0.001), income level (p < 0.05), physical activity (p < 0.05) and voluptuous habits (smoke and coffee: p < 0.0...
The problem of binge drinking among Italian university students: a preliminary investigation
Addictive behaviors, 2006
Although binge drinking and excessive alcohol consumption are relevant public health problems in Italy, no research has been carried out on those topics for years. In the first months of the year 2005, 1000 undergraduates in a number of Italian universities were administered a survey regarding their attitudes in alcohol consumption. Participants were to complete a questionnaire including demographic and alcohol variables, the Sensation-Seeking Scale (SSSV) and the Positive Drinking Expectancy Scale (PDMS). According to previous research, students were categorized in non-drinkers, social, binge, and heavy drinkers. Results showed that the estimated percentage of binge drinking among university students is 32.9%. The survey revealed-by means of univariate and multivariate analysis-that social, binge, and heavy drinkers differ in terms of some drinking variables, in their expectancies about alcohol and in sensation-seeking dimensions. Implications for the prevention of binge drinking in young adults are currently under discussion even if further investigation into the Italian context is urgently needed. D
ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND HEAVY DRINKING: A SURVEY IN THREE ITALIAN VILLAGES
Alcohol and Alcoholism, 2006
Aims: We investigated drinking habits, and heavy and problem drinking prevalence in a sample of individuals attending the consulting rooms of local General Practitioners in three Italian villages. Methods: The samples were selected to be representative of the entire population of the three villages. Information on alcohol-drinking patterns was collected using a questionnaire that included a masked form of the CAGE rating scale. According to the frequency of alcohol intake, subjects were grouped in three categories: abstainers, occasional drinkers, and daily drinkers. In agreement with WHO guidelines, 40 g/day for males and 20 g/day for females were taken as cut-off for 'heavy drinking' and consumptions of >80 g/day for males and 40 g/day for females were used to define 'problem drinking'. Results: A total of 2972 individuals were included in the survey (19% of the population). Of these, 44% were abstinent, 20% occasional drinkers, and 36% daily drinkers. Daily drinking was found to be more common in males than in females but heavy drinking was significantly higher in females compared with males (P > 0.0001). The problem drinkers were 12% of the entire population and the CAGE-positive subjects (>2 positive answers) were 3.5%. Conclusions: Our data indicate that alcohol drinking is widely diffused in the three communities. A large layer of the population drinks above the WHO-established cut-off. The incidence of heavy and problem drinking seems to have significant gender and regional differences that are important to consider when planning effective prevention programmes.
Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 1995
A self-report questionnaire on alcohol and tobacco use was administered anonymously to 5221 high-school students in grade 9 (aged 14-15) and to 4154 students in grade 13 (aged 18-19) in 10 Italian towns. Alcohol consumption was greater among males than females and among 13th graders with respect to 9th graders. Students who drank alcoholic beverages every day were, in males and females, respectively, 22.5% and 9.0% among 9th grade and 31.3% and 10.0% among 13th grade students; those who drank 7 or more alcohol units a week were 26.8% and 11.1% among 9th grade and 42.7% and 13.9% among 13th grade students; finally, those who felt drunk at least once in the last 12 months were 19.8% and 13.9% among 9th grade and 41.4% and 19.0% among 13th grade students. Both alcohol consumption and frequency of drunkenness were found to be associated with both experimental and regular cigarette smoking and with psychoactive drug consumption, but not with socio-economic, cultural and demographic factors. Two main distinct drinking patterns were found among Italian adolescents: on the one hand, the daily drinking of moderate amount of wine with meals, together with parents, which was more common among males than females, as in other 'Latin' countries; and on the other hand, the occasional intake of alcoholic beverages' in excess, especially beer and spirits, out of the family but together with peers.
Binge drinking: Health impact, prevalence, correlates and interventions
Psychology & Health, 2017
Objective: Binge drinking (also called heavy episodic drinking, risky singleoccasion drinking etc.) is a major public health problem. This paper provides an overview of recently published evidence concerning the definition and measurement, prevalence rates, health impact, demographic and psychosocial correlates of, and interventions for, binge drinking. Design: Narrative review. Results: Mostly occurring among young people at weekends, binge drinking increases the risk of both acute (e.g. injuries) and long-term negative consequences (e.g. alcohol disorders). Binge drinkers tend to be extrovert, impulsive and sensation-seeking. Stress, anxiety, traumatic events and depression are also related to binge drinking. Both alcohol-related behaviour of parents and general parenting (e.g. parenting styles, monitoring) are also important. Other major risk factors for binge drinking are frequently spending time with friends who drink, and the drinking norms observed in the wider social environment (e.g. school, community, culture). Emergency departments, birthday parties, fraternities and the workplace serve as settings for interventions; these are increasingly delivered via digital and mobile technology. There is evidence of small-sized effects across approaches (brief interventions, personalised normative feedback, protective behavioural strategies etc.) and populations. Conclusion: A more consistent terminology, investigating multi-level influences and identifying the most effective intervention components are challenges for future research.
Alcohol Consumption and Binge Drinking Among Young Adults Aged 20–30 Years in Lisbon, Portugal
Journal of Addictions Nursing, 2018
Background: Over the past decade, the changes to the pattern of alcohol consumption in Portugal, in particular among young people with heavy episodic drinking (binge drinking), are well documented. However, there are limited studies in individuals aged between 20 and 30 years, which is an important period of transition into adulthood where binge drinking can negatively influence the resolution of developmental tasks. Therefore, this study aims at analyzing the pattern of alcohol consumption and binge drinking among young adults aged between 20 and 30 years living in the municipality of Lisbon. Methodology: This is a quantitative, descriptive correlational study using a convenience sample composed of 259 individuals. We used the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test for data collection. Results: Among the sampled subjects, 19.3% of them reported being nondrinkers. Among the alcohol-drinking subjects (N = 209), 61.3% reported binge drinking behaviors. We found a higher percentage ...
Scientific Reports
Binge drinking (BD) is a common pattern of alcohol consumption among adolescents. At present few data are available on the possible relationship between BD and alcohol use disorders (AUD) in adolescents. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of BD and relationship between BD behavior and AUD among adolescents. A total of 2704 students attending 10 purposively selected high schools from three Italian provinces were surveyed. Questionnaires regarding socio-demographic data, pattern and amount of alcohol intake, smoking habits, use of illicit drugs, and physical activity were administered. AUD and affective disorders were also evaluated. Alcohol intake was reported by 2126 participants; 1278 reported at least one episode BD in the last year and 715 in the last month. A diagnosis of AUD was made in 165 adolescents. The prevalence of AUD was higher in adolescents that reported BD behavior than in those that did not report BD (11.6% vs 0.9%, respectively; p < 0.0001). Logistic regression showed a positive relationship between a diagnosis of AUD and BD behavior (OR 9.6; 95% CI 4.7-22•9; p < 0.0001). In conclusion alcohol consumption with the pattern of BD among adolescents is highly related to development of AUD. Alcohol use disorders (AUD) are chronic and relapsing conditions characterized by harmful alcohol intake, compulsive drinking, psychological and physical dependence. AUD are associated with substantial disability, reduced quality of life, accidents and violence 1. AUD are responsible for over 2.5 million deaths every year worldwide 2. According to World Health Organization (WHO) the worldwide prevalence of AUD is 4.1%, although industrialized countries show higher prevalence 3. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, AUD prevalence is dramatically increasing among adolescents 3. The diagnosis of AUD in adolescent is difficult because the available diagnostic criteria have significant limitations when applied to this population 4. The peak of AUD in adolescent is observed at the age of eighteen, although different studies showed that fourteen is the threshold age from which the frequency of AUD increase 5. At present, in the US, 90% of alcohol consumed by teenagers is in the form of binge drinking (BD) 3. BD is defined as the consumption of large amounts of alcoholic beverages in a single setting 6. The cutoff for BD has typically been set at 5 or more drinks in a single occasion, because this amount quickly takes blood alcohol levels
Alcohol consumption, above all wine drinking, is deeply rooted in the Italian culture. However, national and European statistics (ISTISAN, 2010; ESPAD, 2011) emphasize that beer is the preferred and most widespread alcoholic beverage of 16-20 year-old Italian adolescents. This is consistent with a progressive change in young drinking models, from the traditional “Mediterranean” style (prevalent consumption of wine during meals or on special occasions) to the “Northern” style, (occasional and heavy consumption of beer and spirits) (Bonino, Cattelino, 2012). Starting from the Problem Behavior Theory proposed by Jessor (Jessor, Donovan, Costa 1991), the present study analyzes young beer consumption in the context of adolescents’ risk behaviors and in relation to a complex system that includes variables related to individual values, opinions and feelings and to the peer and family contexts (distinguishing both individual and contextual proximal and distal factors). The aims of the study...