Influence of alexithymia, self-concept and health locus of control on alcohol consumption of young Portuguese

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 75-75
Author(s):  
R. Lopes

Portugal still holds a leading place in the per capita consumption of alcohol at a world level, with high mortality rates due to hepatic cirrhosis, high indexes of road/work killings, besides a vast range of physical and mental, family and occupational health problems caused by alcohol. The narrow connection between juvenile/academic events and alcohol consumption makes youngsters vulnerable to this consumption.A descriptive-correlational and transversal study was conducted with a 552 students’ sample of the Nursing degree aiming to determine some psychological characteristics that might influence/predict alcohol use/abuse in youngsters: alexithymia, self-concept and health control locus. The data collection instrument comprehended: Graffar Social Classification; Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS20), What Do I Think Of Health, Self-Concept Clinical Inventory (SCCI) and Alcohol Involvement Scale (AIS).Male gender is related to alcohol involvement (rho = −0.276; p = .000), revealing that 35% of the male gender and 7% of the female are normally drinkers with problems.Externally oriented thought (F3-TAS20) (rho = .084; p = .048), the impulsiveness (F4-SCCI) (rho = .119; p = .005) and the external control locus (rho = .118; p = .005) are correlated to the involvement with alcohol.Hierarchic multiple regression revealed as behaviour predictor variables of that involvement: gender (3.8%; p = .000), impulsiveness (1.4%; p = .005) and self-efficiency with inverse relation (F2-SCCI) (1.0%; p = .015).It is concluded that the choice of preventive strategies must be focused in actions that facilitate personal and social development, that promote personal and social skills, culminating in a freedom of choice by healthy behaviours and life-styles, diminishing the risk of PLA.

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Fabris ◽  
Pierluigi Toniutto ◽  
Edmondo Falleti ◽  
Elisabetta Fontanini ◽  
Annarosa Cussigh ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Jackson ◽  
K. K. Bucholz ◽  
P. K. Wood ◽  
D. Steinley ◽  
J. D. Grant ◽  
...  

BackgroundThere is evidence that measures of alcohol consumption, dependence and abuse are valid indicators of qualitatively different subtypes of alcohol involvement yet also fall along a continuum. The present study attempts to resolve the extent to which variations in alcohol involvement reflect a difference in kindversusa difference in degree.MethodData were taken from the 2001–2002 National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions. The sample (51% male; 72% white/non-Hispanic) included respondents reporting past 12-month drinking at both waves (wave 1:n = 33644; wave 2:n = 25186). We compared factor mixture models (FMMs), a hybrid of common factor analysis (FA) and latent class analysis (LCA), against FA and LCA models using past 12-month alcohol use disorder (AUD) criteria and five indicators of alcohol consumption reflecting frequency and heaviness of drinking.ResultsModel comparison revealed that the best-fitting model at wave 1 was a one-factor four-class FMM, with classes primarily varying across dependence and consumption indices. The model was replicated using wave 2 data, and validated against AUD and dependence diagnoses. Class stability from waves 1 to 2 was moderate, with greatest agreement for the infrequent drinking class. Within-class associations in the underlying latent factor also revealed modest agreement over time.ConclusionsThere is evidence that alcohol involvement can be considered both categorical and continuous, with responses reduced to four patterns that quantitatively vary along a single dimension. Nosologists may consider hybrid approaches involving groups that vary in pattern of consumption and dependence symptomatology as well as variation of severity within group.


2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Szilvia Perenyi

The theory of “thrill-society” (Schulze 1992) conceptualizes that increased economic status that allows the focus of daily life to switch from providing for physical needs to searching for a meaningful life and self-fulfilment. Combined with the expansion of education, it causes a smooth transition from traditionally inherited social positions and class-based hierarchy in society to a higher degree of social mobility, increased individualisation and diversification of life styles. Noting that, the actualization of this concept in Hungarian society came into effect only along societal discrepancies; still, the uncertainties and insecurities that accompany the process of ‘thrill projects’ collection are substantial. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of sport participation in the lives of young people, how sport may assist young people in coping with the insecurities and uncertainties created in the societal scene that is characterised by the combination of Schulze’s “thrill-society” and the inheritance of political, economic and societal transition of Hungary. Specifically, this study aims to find differences between sport participants and non-participants in their perception of future on micro and macro level, their readiness to take risks and challenges, and their self-concept related to their own health, physical condition, and physical appearance. Stratified random sampling was applied to obtain an accurate representation of Hungarian youth population. Data were analysed by using cross tabulation, non-parametric and multidimensional statistical methods. The results showed that sport participants adopted a more positive image of the future, higher ability to assume risks and a more modern state of mind, as well as a more stable self-concept in comparison to non-participant youth. Also, it seems that the sporting contest may be as strong as sociodemographic positioning in the formulation of these life capabilities. It can be suggested that sport may assist youth with a stable and accountable value environment that reduces the variety of opportunities and provides resources to better deal with societal uncertainties; meanwhile it opens new avenues of personal freedom even in a “thrill society” that filled with deficits in transitioning societies.


1972 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 683-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marvin Reznikoff ◽  
Carolyn Bridges ◽  
Tannah Hirsch

This study investigated the relationship between expertise in bridge playing, the degree to which the individual believes that luck or fate determine his success and self-description. Ss, 46 males and 24 females participating in a national bridge tournament, were administered Rotter's I-E scale and the Adjective Check List (ACL). Correlations of I-E scores and degree of expertness showed that the more expert males were significantly less external, indicating that they perceive bridge as much more a game of skill rather than chance. No significant correlation was found for the group of female bridge players, perhaps due to the smaller number of Ss and the greater degree of homogeneity in the group. On the ACL male experts perceived themselves as more controlled and optimistic toward life and their ability to cope with it. Female experts seemed to regard themselves as more assertive and self-confident than their less expert confreres and as having a more risk-taking life orientation. Correlations of the ACL and I-E scores indicated in general that the more internally oriented person had a more positive self-concept.


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
C.M. Sousa Albuquerque ◽  
V.D. Franco ◽  
C.P. Ferreira O Albuquerque ◽  
C.P. Baptista Mota

This investigation's main goal was to determine if some psychosocial (self-concept, control locus, assertiveness and satisfaction towards social support) and cognitive variables (health beliefs and attitudes towards health) were associated to health related behaviours. The sample was constituted by 829 teenagers, 382 male and 447 female, whose average age is 14.66 years old, who attended the 9th grade of the public and daily schools in the district of Viseu, Portugal.Results:1.Study on the association between health and risk behaviours and psychosocial variables: The better the self-concept, the better the behaviours; The higher the satisfaction with social support, the better the behaviours; The higher the assertiveness, the better the behaviours; The association between control locus and healthy and risk behaviours is not significant.2.Study on the association between health and risk behaviours and cognitive variables: The more favourable the attitudes towards health, the better the behaviours; The more adequate the health beliefs, the better the behaviours.3.Study on the psychosocial variables interaction effects with cognitive variables in health and risk behaviour prediction: The interaction variable was revealed as the best health and risk behaviour predictor is the variable resulting from Factor 1 - behavioural aspect (Self-Concept) and Factor 4 - preventive attitude (Attitudes Towards Health) interaction, with a determination coefficient (R2) of .409. The patterned coefficient analysis Beta (beta=.427) indicates that the higher this interaction effect (F1 - behavioural aspect * F4 - preventive attitude) the better the behaviours.


1989 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin J. Corcoran ◽  
Michelle D. Carney

Rotter (1978) has suggested that, within social learning theory, a generalized expectancy related to internal versus external control of reinforcement (“locus of control”) is that of “looking for alternatives.” Rotter suggests that psychotherapy clients may be taught to look for alternatives to their problematic behavior. Within this framework college students were surveyed to examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and expectancy of finding satisfying alternative behaviors to drinking. After assessing the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption, subjects were presented with a description of a situation in which a same sex friend asked them to go out for a “couple of drinks.” They were then asked to rate on a scale of 1 to 100 how likely it was that there were satisfying alternatives to following the friend’s suggestion. Results supported the hypothesis that heavier drinkers had a significantly lower expectancy that satisfactory alternatives to drinking were available. Results are discussed in terms of research and intervention with heavy-drinking college students.


1977 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Tolor ◽  
Belle Tolor ◽  
Shirley S. Blumin

A group of 28 children from kindergarten through Grade 4, presenting a variety of learning-related problems, were compared with a matched group of 28 control children on the Revised Self-appraisal Inventory and on the Preschool and Primary Internal-External Control Scale. It was hypothesized that the problem children relative to the controls would exhibit less positive self-concepts and have a more external generalized expectancy for control of reinforcement. The expectation was supported for the self-concept measure but not for the measure of locus of control. It was concluded that the Self-appraisal Inventory is a useful measure for assessing self-concepts of children who are being considered for placement in special educational programs and might be helpful in evaluation of these programs.


2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (05) ◽  
pp. 840-845
Author(s):  
NASIM ILYAS ◽  
KASHIF RAHIM ◽  
SALEEM MURTAZA ◽  
Sidrah Nadeem

Objective: To assess the epidemiology of Alcohol consumption in Tehsil Hassan Abdal, district Attock, Punjab, Pakistan.Material and Method: The Medico legal cases record from 2009 – 2011 were studied for alcohol cases at Civil Hospital Hassan Abdal.Results: In the selected medico legal cases alcohol consumption was surprisingly reported only in male gender. Conclusion: Theinvolvement of younger males in alcohol consumption was found to be predominant. The trend of alcohol consumption was noted amongboth urban as well as rural population, with more urban cases as compared to rural.


Author(s):  
Maksymilian Gajda ◽  
Katarzyna Sedlaczek ◽  
Szymon Szemik ◽  
Małgorzata Kowalska

Background: The use of alcohol is a serious public health concern all over the world, especially among young people, including students. Medical students are often exposed to higher levels of distress, which may lead to a higher prevalence of psychoactive substance use and psychiatric co-morbidities. Alcohol abuse can be one of the detrimental methods of coping with distress. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of alcohol use among medical students in Poland. Methods: We analyzed data from the POLLEK cohort study on alcohol consumption and possible influencing factors. Results: Among the 540 students included, 167 (30.9%) were hazardous drinkers (HAZ) according to the AUDIT test. The main identified risk factors of hazardous/harmful drinking were male gender and smoking cigarettes. Conclusions: Given the fairly widespread alcohol abuse among medical students, it is necessary to implement screening (and intervention in the next stage) programs in these groups.


2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 229-247
Author(s):  
Pekka Hakkarainen ◽  
Leena Metso

■ Aims This article reports the results of a population survey in autumn 2004. First, trends in drug use are studied by comparing the 2004 data with materials collected in the same way in 1992, 1996, 1998 and 2002. Secondly, the relationship between drug use and alcohol consumption is discussed. This latter aspect is of special interest in Finland today following the changes in the alcohol environment in spring 2004 (tax cuts on alcohol, the discontinuation of the import quota within the EU and from Estonia). If alcohol consumption increases, the question is will that have the effect of driving up the consumption of other substances (addition hypothesis) or on the contrary, will drug use decrease and be substituted by increased alcohol consumption (substitution hypothesis)? ■ Methods The data for the research were collected in a postal questionnaire in autumn 2004. A random sample of 3992 persons aged 15–69 was drawn from the central population register. A total of 2526 persons responded, giving a response rate of 63 per cent. In order to gain a clearer picture of the relationship between drug use and alcohol consumption, we have linked the data for 1998, 2002 and 2004 into one dataset comprising more than 7 000 respondents. ■ Results The tendency for drug use and experimenting to increase has slowed down since the turn of the millennium. The increase in alcohol sales and tourist imports is not driving up the level of drug use. However, this study lends support to the observations by Juha Partanen (Wet high (1994)) about the close links between drug use and alcohol consumption. In the urban life-styles of younger people the use of cannabis is interwoven with frequent clubbing and party-style drinking patterns. Another indication of the intertwining of drug and alcohol cultures is found in the group of mixed users, who not only drink heavily but also use various drugs and medicines. It would seem that the risk of drug use is increased by the early onset of binge drinking. ■ Conclusion There is as yet not enough evidence to confirm the addition hypothesis. However, given the close links of drug use with alcohol consumption, it certainly is a possibility that if alcohol consumption sharply increases, this might trigger an increase in drug use and experimenting, particularly among young people. The substitution hypothesis, on the other hand, does not seem very likely. On the contrary, it seems that drug use in Finland ties in rather closely with drinking to intoxication.


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