Association between aspects of academic life and drugs use

Author(s)

Alexandre Fachini

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2013-08-09

Examining board members

Erikson Felipe Furtado; Arthur Guerra de Andrade; Maria de Fátima Aveiro Colares; Jair Licio Ferreira Santos; Egberto Ribeiro Turato

• Advisor: Erikson Felipe Furtado

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Several studies have indicated that college years are a period of greater vulnerability to alcohol and other psychoactive drugs use. This evidence stems from the higher prevalence of substance use observed among college students in comparison to others young adults. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between alcohol and other drugs (illicit drugs) use and variables of the academic life, and the meanings attributed by students on this relationship. METHODOLOGY: Longitudinal study, quantitative and qualitative approach, design on a convenience sample of 85 undergraduate students from all courses of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto of University of São Paulo. Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the Drug use Screening Inventory (DUSI) have been used as measures of alcohol use and others psychoactive drugs use respectively. Structured questionnaire evaluated aspects related to academic life. Semi-structured interviews are conducted with some participants and submitted to content analysis. RESULTS: Men increased binge drinking pattern, indicating a substantial risk in the final periods in college (p <0.001, OR = 10), also for the college satisfied with the course (p = 0.04, OR = 17). However, in the early periods of the course, the low self-rated poor school performance was indicative of a 3-fold increased risk for the same pattern of alcohol use, but this same feature was protective for the consumption of drugs and medicines. Analysis revealed an interaction between a set of categories, particularly dissociation between knowledge and practice of drinking, stressful routine student, peculiarities of peer group, celebrations and sense of freedom in not living with parents. CONCLUSIONS: Different variables appear to act in each specific moment of graduation. Although it is not possible to draw a profile that is set as risk or protection, there are context-relevant aspects of student life behavior associated with substance use. Associations observed reveal the need for short-term actions to be guided by the concept of harm reduction. In addition, specialized centers and student support activities that emphasize psycho-pedagogical dimension in the context of academic life may an important way of helping for college students. (AU)