Cluster Analysis Base on Psychosocial Information for Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Consumers

Abstract

The consumption of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs is considered a public health problem, being one of the main causes of academic failure of university students. The objective of this research was to identify psychosocial characteristics in clusters of alcohol, tobacco and other drug consumers. A sample of 3741 college students from Ecuador who complete a psychosocial questionnaire was used. Sparse K-means algorithm showed three clusters. Cluster CLNA1 represents students with low consume of tobacco and alcohol. Apparently, they do not have depression and are comfortable with their lives. CLNA2 presents low consume of tobacco and alcohol. This group shows signals of depression and they consider that there are aspects of their life to improve and small but significant problems of their life. CLNA3 presents the higher consume of tobacco and alcohol.