Use of facebook, perceived stress and alcohol consumption among university students

Abstract

Analysis of the effect between the use of Facebook, perceived stress and alcohol consumption among young people. A descriptive, correlative and cross-sectional study was carried out. The sample of 1110 young university students from Nuevo León, Mexico, was selected by probability sample. Personal Data and Prevalence of Alcohol Consumption Inventory, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Facebook Use Identification Test, Perceived Stress Scale were used. The Research Ethics Committee approved it. We observed 6.4% of young people have mentioned that the use of Facebook affected the alcohol consumption. Seeing adds with alcohol on Facebook was related to alcohol consumption (rs = 0,204, p < 0,05). At the time Facebook was used, it was related to the perceived stress (rs = 0,189, p < 0,05). Finally, it was observed that there is a significant impact between the hours and days of use of Facebook, the stress perceived by young people, the age and gender regarding the harmful alcohol consumption among university students (R2 = 30,9%, p = 0,003). Therefore, it is crucial and necessary to consider social networks an important variable to be included in future interventions regarding mental health.