Padrões de consumo de álcool em estudantes da universidade de aveiro: Relação com comportamentos de risco e stress

Abstract

The excessive alcohol consumption in college students has been the focus of enormous concerns, not only because alcohol has negative effects on people’s health, but also because it frequently leads to risky behaviors, for instance, drinking and driving or having sexual relations without any protection. Another aspect that has been identified in college students, and seems to be associated with alcohol consumption, is stress, which is probably one of the reasons that encourage alcohol consumption. In the present study, which has been conducted with 760 students at the University of Aveiro, we found that students consume large quantities of alcohol, particularly in academic celebrations. However, the risky behaviors are not significant in our sample. We also found that higher levels of alcohol consumption are associated with male students and with students who are dislocated from their families’ house. As far as stress perception is concerned, our sample shows a medium level of stress. Students’ stress is negatively correlated with alcohol consumption. Our results are discussed in the light of the existing theories about alcohol consumption in college students.