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Copyright of Gümüshane Üniversitesi Saglik Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of Gumushane University, Faculty of Health Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: There are scant studies on the prevalence and determinants of tobacco smoking among 1st year university students in Iran. We aim to determine the prevalence of substance abuse and identify factors related with tobacco smoking in 1st year students of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences (QUMS). Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographic, cigarette smoking, hookah smoking, and related risk factors among 521 1st year students in QUMS between January and February 2014. We used logistic regression to determine factors associated with substance abuse among students. Results: The descriptive statistics indicated that the prevalence of lifetime cigarette and hookah smoking was 8.6% (confidence interval [CI] 95%: 6.5-11.4) and 35.5% (CI 95%: 31.5-39.7), respectively. After adjustment for other factors, being male, the presence of any smoker in the family and having smoker friends were factors associated with cigarette and hookah smoking among students. Our findings also revealed the co-occurrence of risk-taking behaviors among students. Conclusions: Our study showed considerably low prevalence of tobacco smoking among 1st year students. Longitudinal studies are necessary to approve the observed results of this study and thus allow for a certain generalization of the observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While it is well known that substance use and gambling overlap, the degree to which this overlap can be explained by shared risk factors has not been fully explored. This study aimed to identify common and unique risk factors for gambling and substance use among young adults.Methods: Young adults (n=1,019) in a longitudinal study since college entry were interviewed annually. Past-year frequency of seven gambling activities was assessed once (Year 5). Structural equation models evaluated suspected risk factors in two models, one for gambling with substance use as an intermediary variable, and one for substance use with gambling as the intermediary variable.Results: Sixty percent gambled; 6% gambled weekly or more. Examination of the two structural models supported the existence of significant paths (a) from two of the five substance use variables (alcohol, drugs) to gambling frequency, and (b) from gambling frequency to all five substance use variables. Every risk factor associated with gambling was also associated with one or more substance use variables. Risk factors common to gambling and substance use were sex, race/ethnicity, extracurricular involvement (fraternity/sorority, athletics), impulsive sensation-seeking, and behavioral dysregulation. Risk factors unique to substance use were conduct problems, anxiety, and parent's history of alcohol and mental health problems.Conclusions: Gambling and substance use are interrelated, but with incomplete overlap in their respective risk factors. Results underscore the need for longitudinal research to elucidate their distinct etiologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case is for use in graduate courses in student affairs and higher education administration. It presents the challenges faced by student affairs professionals at the University of Virginia where some students participate in an annual high-risk drinking practice that has resulted in injuries and even death. Student affairs professionals at the university have attempted to address this dangerous practice for almost 20 years with minimal success. This case highlights the complex issues that administrators must often face as well as provides students the opportunity to evaluate the complex issues from the perspectives of the various constituencies involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of substance abuse among students of selected schools of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among students in five schools of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2014. Data collection was conducted using a questionnaire which was designed by the researcher. Questionnaires were distributed among participants selected using stratified random sampling. A total of 422 questionnaires were filled and analyzed. Findings: In total, 422 students aged 19 to 32 years participated in this study among which 233 were women (55.2%) and 187 were men (44.3%). The highest prevalence belonged to smoking (26.3%), alcohol (19.9%), and hookah (14.9%) use, respectively. The results showed that 311 participants (73.7%) had never smoked a cigarette, 111 (26.3%) had smoked at least once, and 84 students (19.9%) had consumed alcoholic drinks at least once in their lifetime. There was no meaningful difference in smoking and alcohol use in terms of students' gender. Mother's educational level (P = 0.006) and financial income (P = 0.049) had significant effect on alcohol consumption. Conclusion: In this study, it was found that gender differences have reduced in cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption as seen in western countries, which should be taken into consideration. The prevalence of alcohol consumption was found to be higher compared to other similar studies conducted in Iran which is significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on opportunity for cooperation between campus drug courts and participation in state diversion programs. It mentions prevalence of substance abuse issues that college students suffer from and the secondary implications that arise because of alcohol and drug abuse. It also mentions benefits campus drug courts offer to the students, the campus, and the legal community at large.

Background: Substance abuse (SA) refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. The most common substances which are usually abused are alcohol and tobacco. Herein, we assessed the prevalence of SA among regular degree health science students of the Sheba University College (SUC). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 1076 SUC students using self-administered structured questionnaire. The simple sampling technique was used to select students. Descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariate analysis were done. Results: The overall prevalence of "ever used substance" for at least one was 45.5%. The most commonly used drugs in descending order were alcohol (25.1%), cigarette (11.4%), and khat (9.2%). Male participants, urban setting, peer pressure, personal pleasure, and academic dissatisfaction and pocket money were highly associated with SA. Conclusion: This study showed a lower magnitude (45.6% ever use and 21% still using) of SA among students' compared to other studies. Even if a considerable decrease in SA among study subjects, the creation of awareness and health education should be continued to fully combat the problem of abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Substance abuse is the recent trend among college students. Studies conducted in India shows clear indications of increasing prevalence of substance abuseamong adolescents. Aims and Objectives: To assess the practice prevalence and consequences of drug abuseamong adolescent students. Materials and Method: This Institution based cross-sectional study conducted in different schools and colleges of Mangalore. Institutions were randomly picked with pen drop method and 5 institution students were selected as study subjects. Totally 487 students between institutionswere selected, the age group of 15-25 yearswere included in the study. The datawas collected bymeans of answering a pretested validated questionnairewith anonymity. Results: According to our study the results showed that 8.60% have tried some substance of abuse such as marijuana (5.51%), LSD (1.10%), cocaine (1.32%) and others (1.76%). Among the Substance users, 1.54% used it regularly, 1.76% occasionally and 2.20% only once. 33.03%said it has affected their daily activities and academics 21.05%had picked up a quarrelwith friends, family or detained by police. Conclusion: Caffeine consumption in the formcoffee is quite common amongst the students as a habit. Marijuana is themost popular drugamong the small fraction of studentswho have tried drugs. Most of themtried it first in college, mainly being influencedbypeers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: K2 and Spice consist of an herbal blend of plant matter and chemical synthetic cannabinoids. These substances emerged in the early 2000s as a popular alternative to marijuana among youth and young adults.Objectives: This study sought to identify rates and correlates of K2 and Spice at college entry and first use during college.Methods: In Fall 2010, 3146 students at 11 colleges in North Carolina and Virginia were recruited to participate in a longitudinal cohort survey. The cohort was invited to participate in a total of six surveys over their college career. Random-effects logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with lifetime K2 and Spice use at college entry and first use during college, adjusting for clustering within schools and sample weights.Results: Weighted lifetime prevalence of K2 and Spice use at college entry was 7.6%. An additional 6.6% of students reported first use during college. By the cohort’s fourth year, 17.0% reported lifetime K2 and Spice use. While lifetime prevalence increased, past 6-month prevalence decreased substantially over time. K2 and Spice use at college entry was associated with sensation seeking; hookah, marijuana, and illicit drug use; and low religiosity. First use during college was associated with having a father with less than a four-year degree; alcohol and hookah use.Conclusion: Universities should ensure that prevention efforts address current substance use, including K2/Spice, and that treatment options are available for first year students who use substances. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Substance abuse continues to be prevalent on college campuses. This study explored the relationships between social interest, social bonding, and hazardous drinking and marijuana use among college students. Results indicate that the social bonding elements of religious commitment, respect for authority, and acceptance of conventional beliefs, along with social interest, significantly differ between groups of students engaged in hazardous drinking and marijuana use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: To examine trends in the lifetime and past-year prevalence of medical use, diversion, and nonmedical use of four prescription medication classes (i.e., sedative/anxiety, opioid, sleeping, and stimulant) among college students between 2003 and 2013; and to identify demographic and background characteristics associated with trends in past-year nonmedical use of prescription medications. Methods: A self-administered, cross-sectional Web survey was conducted in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2013 at a large public four-year university in the Midwest United States. Results: Approximately one in every five individuals reported nonmedical use of at least one prescription medication class in their lifetime. The past-year prevalence of medical use, diversion and nonmedical use of prescription stimulants increased significantly between 2003 and 2013 while the past-year prevalence of medical use, diversion and nonmedical use of prescription opioids decreased significantly over this same time period. The odds of past-year nonmedical use of each prescription medication class were generally greater among males, Whites, members of social fraternities and sororities, and those with a lifetime history of medical use of prescription medications or a past-year history of being approached to divert their prescription medications. Conclusions: The present study represents the first investigation to demonstrate that trends in medical use of controlled medications parallel changes in diversion and nonmedical use of the same medication class among college students. The findings reinforce the importance of continued monitoring of prescription medication use at colleges to help guide prevention and intervention efforts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives A common commercial marketing segmentation technique is to divide a population into groups based on psychographic characteristics (i.e., attitudes and interests). We used this approach to define segments of female and male college students and examine substance use differences. Method We administered an online survey to 24,055 students at six colleges in the Southeastern United States (response rate 20.1%, n = 4,840), obtaining complete data from 3,469 participants. We assessed sociodemographics, psychographic factors such as those used by the tobacco industry to define market segments, and substance use (cigarettes, other tobacco products, alcohol, and marijuana). Cluster analysis was conducted among females and males using 15 psychographic measures (sensation seeking, Big Five personality traits, and nine measures adapted from tobacco industry documents), identifying three segments per sex. Results Safe responsibles were characterized by high levels of agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, academic achievement, and religious service attendance. Stoic individualists were characterized by low extraversion, sensation seeking, and openness. Thrill-seeking socializers were characterized by high levels of sensation seeking and extraversion. Among females, thrill-seeking socializers were significantly more likely than safe responsibles to have used any substance in the prior 30 days (odds ratio [OR] = 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.65, 2.52]; Nagelkerke R2 = .084). Among males, stoic individualists (OR = 1.50, CI [1.08, 2.08]) and thrill-seeking socializers (OR = 1.53, CI [1.09, 2.13]) were more likely than safe responsibles to have used substances in the past 30 days (Nagelkerke R2: .109). Conclusion Psychographic segmentation can identify young adult subgroups with differing psychographic and substance use profiles and inform health campaigns and messaging targeting youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Substance use refers to the use of any psychoactive substance or drug, including licit and illicit drugs, other than when medically indicated. Psychoactive substance use poses a threat to the health, social and economic fabric of families, communities and nations. Chandigarh has more than 0.2 million students from across the country pursuing their courses in higher education institutions. There is a very little information about pattern of drug dependence among the college students of Chandigarh. Objectives: To study the prevalence and pattern of substance use among college students of Chandigarh and to study the psycho-social behaviour of youth and perceived reasons for using substances. Material and Methods: A Cross - sectional community based study. A stratified multi-stage random sample design was adopted in study. The study instrument was a questionnaire which was developed by reviewing relevant literature and previously used standardized instruments and protocols including the WHO questionnaire. On the basis of 60% prevalence anticipated on the basis of pilot study, 90% confidence coefficient and 10% permissible error - sample size came out to be 256. Results: Prevalence of substance use was seen in 52.7% students belonging to age group 19 to 21 years. More prevalence of substance use was found among law students (76.2%) followed by the students from Art stream (62.5%). Among the users alcohol was most commonly used (53.5%), followed by smokers (27.3%), tobacco chewers (8.2%), cannabis (6.8%).49% of the users were using substances on daily basis, followed by 23% who using weekly.29.3% of users had father using any substance. Relief from psychological stress (66.0%) followed by easy availability (46.9%) were the most common reasons of substance abuse. that substances use is common among college going male students irrespective of their social demographic characteristics like age [OR 0.76, 95%CI (.443-1.317)] religion [OR.859 95%CI (.461-1.598)], parental education, occupation and socio-economic status. Therefore, interventions in terms of health education/counselling for reducing substance use among them should be adopted, irrespective of their socio-demographic characteristics. Suggestions: This study suggested some life style related interventions in order to reduce the problem of substance use. There is an utmost need to educate and counsel young students regarding harmful effects of substance use. Health education may be imparted in the school curriculum. Parents should also be educated on discouragement of substance use and on taking proper care of their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To estimate the frequency of polydrug use (alcohol and illicit drugs) among college students and its associations with gender and age group. Methods: A nationwide sample of 12,544 college students was asked to complete a questionnaire on their use of drugs according to three time parameters (lifetime, past 12 months, and last 30 days). The co-use of drugs was investigated as concurrent polydrug use (CPU) and simultaneous polydrug use (SPU), a subcategory of CPU that involves the use of drugs at the same time or in close temporal proximity. Results: Almost 26% of college students reported having engaged in CPU in the past 12 months. Among these students, 37% had engaged in SPU. In the past 30 days, 17% college students had engaged in CPU. Among these, 35% had engaged in SPU. Marijuana was the illicit drug mostly frequently used with alcohol (either as CPU or SPU), especially among males. Among females, the most commonly reported combination was alcohol and prescribed medications. Conclusions: A high proportion of Brazilian college students may be engaging in polydrug use. College administrators should keep themselves informed to be able to identify such use and to develop educational interventions to prevent such behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Educación XX1 is the property of Editorial UNED and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: Objective: Negative affect has been consistently linked with substance use/problems in prior research. The present study sought to build upon these findings by exploring how an individual''s characteristic responding to negative affect impacts substance abuse risk. Trait negative affect was examined in relation to substance abuse outcomes along with two variables tapping into response to negative affect: Distress Tolerance, an individual''s perceived ability to tolerate negative affect, and Negative Urgency, the tendency to act rashly while experiencing distress. Method: Participants were 525 first-year college students (48.1% male, 81.1% Caucasian), who completed self-report measures assessing personality traits and alcohol-related problems, and a structured interview assessing past and current substance use. Relations were tested using Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial regression models, and each of the personality variables was tested in a model on its own, and in a model where all three traits were accounted for. Results: Negative Urgency emerged as the best predictor, relating to every one of the substance use outcome variables even when trait negative affect and Distress Tolerance were accounted for. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Negative Urgency is an important factor to consider in developing prevention and intervention efforts aimed at reducing substance use and problems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: A large minority of collegiate athletes report past-year marijuana use even though there is a significant possibility of experiencing negative athlete-specific consequences related to performance, eligibility, and scholarship. The present study examined risk factors that can drive or curb marijuana use in college athletes and nonathletes. Method: Logistic regressions, performed separately for men and for women, assessed the relationship of past-year marijuana use to sensation seeking, negative mood, perceptions of peer marijuana use, motivations for marijuana use, and stress related to body image and academics in athletes (233 men, 156 women) and nonathletes (184 men, 313 women). Risk factors also were compared for male past-year marijuana users who reported using (n = 26) or not using (n = 61) the substance during their competitive season. Results: For athletes and nonathletes of both genders, being White, being past-year cigarette smokers, having higher sensation-seeking scores, and having exaggerated perceptions of student use norms were associated with past-year marijuana use. Enhancement motivations for use were higher among athletes compared with their same-gender nonathlete peers. In women, but not in men, greater body image stress and lower academic stress were associated with past-year marijuana use. Male athletes who continued using marijuana into their competitive season demonstrated a qualitatively different risk profile compared with athlete past-year users who reported no in-season use, including greater coping motivations for marijuana use. Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests that although the overall risk profile of college athletes and nonathletes is similar, athletes appear to be particularly motivated to use marijuana because of its enhancement or pleasurable properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many who smoke in college do so infrequently and smoking conditions are not well understood. We examined smoking patterns among college fraternity and sorority members ( N == 207) from a Midwestern university in three successive fall semesters in 2006--2008. Participants completed calendar-assisted retrospective assessments of 30-day smoking at up to five assessment points over 96 days. Overall smoking rates declined over the course of each semester and higher smoking on weekends was observed, with more variability among daily smokers. The most frequent categories of events to cue recall of smoking were socializing, work, and school. Findings can be used to target prevention efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is evidence from self-report measures which suggests that young women dieters find cigarette smoking less rewarding than non-dieters. We aimed to further elucidate differences between dieters and non-dieters in their evaluation of smoking using a behavioural measure of drug reward. Thirty female undergraduates attended two sessions (cigarette deprived and non-deprived). A computer-based progressive ratio operant procedure was employed to assess the amount of effort that participants were willing to expend to gain a puff on a cigarette. The point at which responding ceased was taken as a measure of drug reward (breakpoint). Self-report measures of sensory/hedonic aspects of smoking were also completed. The breakpoints of both dieters and non-dieters were greater under deprived than non-deprived conditions but the breakpoints of dieters were significantly lower than those of the non-dieting smokers under both conditions. Self-reported enjoyment of smoking was lower for dieters than non-dieters and reports for non-dieters but not dieters were affected by deprivation level. Both behavioural and self-report measures of rewarding aspects of smoking suggest that young women dieters find smoking less rewarding than non-dieters, but self-report measures are more resistant to deprivation effects for dieters. This is consistent with the suggestion that subjective and behavioural measures assess different dimensions of the rewarding effects of smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Hierarchical regression analysis was used to test the hypothesis that specific functional factors of marijuana use would predict past 30-day marijuana use in 425 college students more precisely than demographic variables alone. This hypothesis was confirmed. Functional factors of personal/physical enhancement as well as activity enhancement were significant predictors of 30- day marijuana use. Furthermore, this model explained over half of the variance of students' monthly marijuana use. Implications for future research and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Substance abuse is one of the main health problems in Iran and awareness about its spread and procedure of spread in the society, particularly the susceptible society of students, is very important with regard to the population pyramid of Iran. Methods: This study was performed by cross-sectional method. The sampling size was 610 male students in pre-university grade by a probabilistic cluster sampling. Our research instrument was the WHO questionnaire. Findings: The experience of smoking cigarettes was seen in 34.6% of the students, 51.5% used hookah, 37.7% drank alcohol, 40.7% used non- prescribed tranquilizers, 10.2% used high-dosage painkillers, 6.6% used ecstasy, 6.7% hashish, 4.9% heroin, 8.7% opium and 9.7% used Pam or chewable tobacco. The first age of experiencing smoking cigarette was 14.0, hookah 13.9, alcohol 14.6, tranquilizers 13.1, high-dosage painkillers 15.3, ecstasy 17.0, hashish 16.7, heroin 16.7, opium 16.7 and using chewable tobacco 15.3 years. The improper use of ecstasy pills, opium, heroin and chewable tobacco was more in governmental schools compared with non-profit school centers. There was a relationship between the low educational level of the father and consuming alcohol, strong intoxicants, heroin, opium, pam and excessive use of cigarettes. On the other hand, there was a relationship between the low educational level of the mother with using cigarettes, hookah, alcohol, tranquilizers, strong painkillers, ecstasy, heroin, opium, pam and excessive usage of cigarettes. Conclusion: According to this study, in spite of the fact that drug abuse is at a warning rate, the tendency toward hookah, tranquilizers and alcohol is noticeable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to identify prevalence of drug use and to examine undergraduate students' perceived risks of substance use in Timis County area. This study is part of a type A grant financed by the National University Research Council. We conducted a cross sectional study using a multistage stratified cluster sample design to produce a representative sample of undergraduate students for Timis County, Romania. A 126-item questionnaire was developed to investigate health-risk behaviours of young adults. Eighteen items regarding illicit drug use suggesting different intensity of use were listed. The response categories were "no risk", "slight risk", "moderate risk", "great risk" and "don't know." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze the relation between university students' perceived norms and actual drug use among their peers. This cross-sectional study was based on a survey. Evaluations involved all second- and third-year students (ages between 18 and 24 years) of the nursing and medicine courses at the Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, located in the city of Santo André, Brazil. Students were invited to answer a questionnaire that evaluated several variables, including their own drug use and their perception of their peers' drug use. In total, 274 students participated. Data analysis was performed using SPSS and descriptive techniques, including frequencies and means. There was an overestimation of the perception regarding drug use in relation to the actual frequency reported by the students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Determination of the prevalence of substance use at least once during life-time, and risk factors associated with substance use among university students, was aimed in the present study. Method: Data obtained via socio-demographic data forms and substance use information forms, from 2040 students attending Dicle University was evaluated with chisquare, t-test and binary logistic regression analysis. Results: It was determined that 123 of the participants (6.03%) have used substance at least once during their life-time. Males compared to females, people who have job compared to jobless, student who have poor academic performance compared to those with average or good academic performance, people without a religious belief compared to people with religious belief, people with a history of suicide attempt compared to people with no suicide attempt, people who defined their families as conservative compared to people who defined their families as liberal had statistically significantly higher rates of substance use at least once during life-time. Being male, living with the family, having job, having divorced parents or separated parents, smoking, using alcohol, having a history of suicide attempt and not having a religious belief, were risk factors for substance use at least once during life-time. Conclusion: Studies on substance use are crucial regarding the changes in prevalence with time. However, in the attempts to prevent substance use, information concerning the factors which increase the risk of substance use is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Schizotypy is a multidimensional personality construct that is characterized by perceptual abnormalities, social withdrawal, mild suspiciousness, and odd thinking patterns. This study examined the relationship between four dimensions of self-reported schizotypy and substance use involving nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis, in undergraduate students. Results showed that higher levels of disorganized schizotypy, or odd thinking and behavior, were associated with greater indices of use of all three substances. Furthermore, higher cognitive–perceptual schizotypy was selectively associated with cannabis use. Results confirm findings of recent research that has discovered associations among schizotypy and substance use, highlighting links between behavioral traits and use of nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis. This study is one of the first to examine a wide range of schizotypy domains, and to show selective effects of the disorganized domain of schizotypy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study investigated the link between childhood maltreatment and substance use, focusing on examining contingencies of self-worth (CSWs) as mediators among college students (N = 513). Structural equation modeling indicated that childhood sexual abuse among females was related to lower God's love CSW, which in turn was related to higher levels of cigarette, marijuana, and other illicit drug use, supporting the mediational role of God's love CSW. Correlational analyses demonstrated that, for both male and female students, external contingency of appearance was related to higher substance use, whereas internal contingencies of God's love and virtue were related to lower substance use. The findings highlight the protective role of internal CSWs in substance use among females with childhood sexual abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The authors compared the prevalence and pattern of substance use in undergraduate student athletes and nonathletes from 2005-2006. Participants: Authors collected data from male (n = 418) and female (n = 475) student athletes and nonathletes from 2005-2006. Methods: The authors administered self-report questionnaires to assess prevalence, quantity, and frequency of alcohol and drug use, and to determine patterns of student athletes' alcohol and drug use during their athletic season versus out of season. Results: Male student athletes were at high risk for heavy drinking and performance-enhancing drug use. Considerable in-season versus out-of-season substance use fluctuations were identified in male and female student athletes. Conclusions: Additional, and possibly alternative, factors are involved in a student athlete's decision-making process regarding drug and alcohol use, which suggests that the development of prevention programs that are specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the college student athlete may be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies of family history of alcoholism (FHA) in college students have typically relied on dichotomous indices of paternal drinking. This study examined the prevalence of FHA and its effects on alcohol use and problems using a density measure in a sample ( n = 408) of college students. Methods: Undergraduate students completed an anonymous survey in exchange for course credit. Data was collected between 2005 and 2006. Results: Using a density measure of FHA, we observed an overall prevalence rate of 65.9% and a rate of 29.1% for FHA in both first and second-degree relatives. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to investigate relations among FHA, alcohol use/problems and previously identified etiological risk factors for alcohol use disorders (AUD). Results indicated a significant positive association between FHA and alcohol-related problems and this relationship was mediated by age of onset of drinking, behavioral undercontrol and current cigarette use. Behavioral undercontrol also mediated the relationship between gender and alcohol problems. Additionally, FHA was associated with an earlier age of onset of drinking and this was related to greater alcohol use. Conclusions: Assessing density of FHA in future trajectory research may capture a greater number of students at risk for acute alcohol-related problems and/or future development of AUDs. Future preventive interventions with this population, which should begin well before the college years, may benefit from considering personality factors and incorporating smoking cessation to help identify at-risk students and assist those who wish to cut down on their alcohol use but find that smoking acts as a trigger for increased drinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To examine the geographic density of alcohol outlets and associations with drinking levels and related problems among university students. Design Cross-sectional survey study using geospatial data, with campus-level and individual-level analyses. Participants A total of 2550 students (mean age 20.2, 60% women) at six university campuses in New Zealand (63% response). Measurements Counts of alcohol outlets within 3 km of each campus were tested for their non-parametric correlation with aggregated campus drinking levels and related problems. Generalized estimating equations were used to model the relation between outlet counts within 1 km and 3 km of student residences and individual drinking levels/problems, with control for gender, age, ethnicity and high school binge drinking frequency, and adjustment for campus-level clustering. Findings Correlations for campus-level data were 0.77 ( P = 0.07) for drinking and personal problems, and 0.31 ( P = 0.54) for second-hand effects. There were consistent significant associations of both on- and off-licence outlet densities with all outcomes in student-level adjusted models. Effects were largest for 1 km densities and off-licence outlets. Conclusions There are positive associations between alcohol outlet density and individual drinking and related problems. Associations remain after controlling for demographic variables and pre-university drinking, i.e. the associations are unlikely to be due to self-selection effects. Increasing alcohol outlet density, and particularly off-licences, may increase alcohol-related harm among university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines drug use, including alcohol, as a factor in risky sexual behavior while considering patterns across sex and race. Both factors have been given insufficient attention in prior research. The data for this study come from a survey of 1,052 college students from a Midwestern state. Findings indicate that drug use is associated with increases in risky sexual behavior, but this is more true for females than for males. The use of drugs other than marijuana and alcohol has a different pattern of association for the four race-sex groups. There is no association between risky sex and other drug use for the young men, and a different pattern of association for the young women. For black females, other drug use is negatively or not at all associated with risky sex, whereas it is positively associated with risky sex for the white females. Implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is known that brief interventions for mandated college students decrease alcohol use and/or related problems in the short term. However, none of the existing studies has followed students' past 6 months. Therefore, we compared the long-term efficacy of 2 brief substance use feedback interventions for mandated college students. Methods: We followed up mandated students ( N=348) who were randomly assigned to either a brief motivational interview (BMI; n=180) or a written feedback-only (WF; n=168) intervention at 4 months and 15 months postintervention. Results: Long-term follow-up data revealed that students, at the aggregate level, decreased their peak blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels, number of drinks per week, and number of alcohol-related problems at 15 months postintervention compared with their baseline levels. With the exception of peak BAC, the observed long-term reduction was mainly due to the positive change among students who received the BMI intervention. Students in the BMI intervention showed significantly lower levels of alcohol-related problems at 15 months than those in the WF intervention. The BMI intervention more effectively reduced within-individual alcohol-related problems during the initial 4 months, and more successfully curbed the subsequent increase in alcohol use frequency and number of drinks per week during the 11 months between the 2 follow-up assessments. Conclusions: The results suggest that brief substance use interventions reduce the riskiest type of alcohol use (e.g., peak BAC) among mandated college students over the long term, and that sleeper effects of in-person personal feedback interventions (PFIs) exist. In-person PFIs in the context of a motivational interview may be more efficacious in the long term than written feedback-only interventions for mandated students. Future studies comparing interventions for college students should extend follow-up for longer periods of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The authors tested a prototype intervention designed to deter alcohol use in residence halls. Participants: Approximately 384 freshmen participated in the study over a 2-year period. Methods: The authors devised a feedback method that assessed residents' blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at night and allowed the readings to be retrieved the next day via the Web. Residents in an intervention hall received their BAC readings as well as normative feedback. In a comparison hall, residents could retrieve only the BAC readings. Results: The authors found statistically significant hall differences, but they were small in size and not meaningful. Conclusions: Qualitative findings suggest the intervention had an overall positive impact, but the actions of a subgroup of rebellious drinkers might have obscured the effect. Social norms interventions could provoke some episodes of excessive drinking in students who find these messages objectionable. More research is needed to evaluate delayed BAC feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peer relationships are consistently linked to alcohol use in college students. However, this disparate literature often reveals contradictory findings regarding the precise mechanisms of peer influence. In this review, we use an organisational framework based on social learning theory (SLT) to demonstrate how the quality of peer relationships may influence personal alcohol use. We propose that the quality of peer relationships enhance the influence of social reinforcement, modelling and cognitive processes on personal alcohol use. Research indicates that the quality of peer relationships influences drinking via three pathways: the lack or breakdown of quality peer relationships, alcohol use being an integral part of peer interactions, and if peers disapprove of alcohol use or do not drink. This conceptualisation of peer influence informs the consistent finding of gender differences in college student drinking. Limitations of the reviewed research include reliance on cross-sectional surveys, self-report and homogeneous populations. Future directions for research on quality peer relationships involve detailed longitudinal assessment and the application of advanced statistical methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this commentary, we describe the use of a 5/4 drink summary measure of heavy episodic alcohol consumption, or “binge” drinking, in survey research and its usefulness for preventing negative alcohol-related consequences. Data from 4 nationally representative surveys of more than 50,000 college students are utilized to examine the utility of this measure in comparison with alternative cut-points. Our analysis demonstrates that while higher drink threshold measures incrementally improve the ability to identify correctly students who experience harms or who meet DSM-IV diagnostic criteria of alcohol abuse and dependence, they capture only a small proportion of those college students experiencing harms. We conclude that the selection of a measurement tool should be consistent with the purpose for which it is to be used. The 5/4 measure of binge drinking provides a valuable means for understanding and preventing alcohol-related harms in a college population and can be utilized as a screen to identify students who may need additional clinical assessment for intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substance use disorders among college students are not well understood, and the present study examined the relationship of two environmental factors to alcohol and drug use problems in 616 (316 women) college students. Participants completed measures assessing substance use problems, life events, and substance use among peers. Alcohol use problems were significantly associated with higher drug use problems and regular use of illicit drugs among friends. Drug use problems were significantly associated with male gender, higher alcohol use problems, regular use of alcohol and drugs among friends, illicit drug use among romantic partners, and higher numbers of negative life events. Results extend previous research and suggest that college students who experience multiple negative life events and/or affiliate with substance using friends and romantic partners may be at risk for developing a substance use problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decade, universities and colleges across the USA have attempted to develop a profile of college student drinkers in order to develop programs and policies for combating high‐risk drinking. Most of these studies have relied on the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey in which students self‐report drinking and behaviors associated with drinking. While the Core survey has undergone multiple validity checks, few researchers have employed official data to validate items in the survey, particularly self‐reported official trouble. The present study employed municipal alcohol‐related arrest reports to determine whether the correlates of arrest resembled correlates associated with self‐reported official trouble from drinking. Overall, group membership patterns from the self‐report item resembled the patterns of alcohol‐related arrest. Further tests using internal Core survey criteria revealed additional validity support for the self‐reported official trouble item. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Anti-Tobacco Media Blitz (ATMB), a social-norms marketing program, was utilized for tobacco prevention with middle and high school students. University students assisted middle and high school students with the implementation of this campaign, which included a variety of media. Students worked in teams to design, develop, and evaluate tobacco-free messages through posters, radio, television, and peer-led activities. Evaluation of the campaign was constant and included assessment of message retention and demonstration of positive behaviors. This article discusses the procedures of this project, the five-step social norms marketing model, with emphasis on the student-centered evaluation and results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prevalence of tobacco use among the college-aged population is approximately 30%; a significant percentage of students initiate use or transition to regular use during their college years. This study examined the relationship between drinking and smoking rates, subjective reactivity of concurrent effects of alcohol and tobacco use, and expectations of smoking while under the influence of alcohol in first-year college students. The sample consisted of ever-smokers ( n =217), who had smoked at least once in the past year, with a mean age of 19.67 years. Weekly alcohol consumption was 18.53 standard drinks per week, with 2.95 drinking episodes per week. Of the sample, 54% were classified as smokers (smoked more than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime) and 46% were classified as experimenters (smoked less than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime). Results demonstrated that 74% of all smoking episodes occurred while under the influence of alcohol. Smokers had higher levels of alcohol use and reported greater subjective effects from the simultaneous use of alcohol and tobacco. Smokers also were more likely to generate expectancies acknowledging an increase in smoking while drinking and for smoking to enhance reinforcement from alcohol. Experimenters were most likely to report positive reinforcement from smoking while under the influence of alcohol. Overall, smokers experienced stronger subjective effects of concurrent alcohol and tobacco use; however, results suggest that smoking while under the influence of alcohol is a positive experience even for relatively inexperienced smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusions. Brief individual preventive interventions for high-risk college drinkers can achieve long-term benefits even in the context of maturational trends. (Am J Public Health. 2001;91:1310-1306) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationships among selected demographic characteristics, alcohol use only, alcohol plus marijuana use and substance-use related problems. Data are from 409 randomly selected undergraduate college students attending a large urban university. Poly-substance users were more likely than alcohol only users to be younger and experience all substance-use related problems studied. The relationship between poly-substance use and increased substance use-associated problems was also identified when controlling for other common predictors of substance use problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about substance use among Vietnamese American College students. Previous studies showed that substance use is more prevalent among White, African-Americans and Hispanics, than in Asian Americans in the US. As a result, many believe that all Asian Americans can be classified as a low health risk group. This study examined the prevalence of substance use (cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana) and factors associated with substance use among Vietnamese American college students. Data were collected through a mail survey and a telephone survey. A total of 412 usable surveys were completed. The results of this study indicated that gender and degree of acculturation are significantly related to substance use. Vietnamese male students are more likely to use substance than are Vietnamese female students. Overall, acculturated Vietnamese American students were more likely to use substance (alcohol and Marijuana) than those less acculturated Vietnamese American students. However, cigarette smoking was not significantly related to acculturation among female students. Future studies should examine the gender differences in the acceptance and perception toward substance use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tobacco use is the leading and preventable cause of death in the World. This study was conducted to find out the trends of tobacco use among medical and non-medical students in District Bannu of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa province. Material & Methods: This cross sectional observational study was conducted in Bannu Medical College and University of Science & Technology Bannu from 16th March 2011 to 15th June 2011. Questionnaires were randomly distributed among the students of medical college and university. These were collected and checked for missing information and wrong entries. No name, address or other identity was mentioned in the proforma. Results: A total of 244 questionnaires were filled. Non responders were excluded and the remaining 227 were included in the study, 120 in medical and 107 in non medical group with females 44 in medical and 39 in non medical. Mean age was 23±4 years. Tobacco users in medical group were 14.5% male and 2.3% female while in non-medical students these were 20.6% male and 2.5% female . The main contributing factor was the bad company and its use was started in the college in 75% of the medical and 53.3% of the non medical group. Conclusion: The prevalence of smoking is higher in the non-medical students than the medical students. The female population is less affected than the male and the etiological factors were mainly stress and bad company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study related to an analysis of substance misuse condition in combination with sexual activities of college students in Hong Kong, China. Topics discussed include assessment of recreational drug usage prevalence among students in conjunction with sexual intercourse; involvement of smokers in an alcohol consumption while sexual activities; and recommendation for adoption of sexual education among students for prevention of substance misuse in sexual activities.