Compulsory school achievement and gambling among men and women aged 18–29 in Finland

Aims: This study aims to explore the associations between final compulsory school grades and gambling and their relation to substance use and perceived mental health among people aged 18–29 in Finland (N = 831). Methods: Cross-sectional random sample data, weighted on the basis of age, gender and region of residence, were collected in 2015. The data were analysed using logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic variables, risky alcohol use, daily smoking, and perceived mental health. Results: Weekly gambling and at-risk and problem gambling (ARPG) were more common among men. Weekly gambling was linked to smoking and risky alcohol use among men and smoking among women. Additionally, ARPG was linked to risky alcohol use among men. ARPG was associated with moderate/poor mental health among men and women, but this was not the case with weekly gambling. Among men, low and average final school grades at age 16 were associated with weekly gambling later in life, even when adjusting for other variables. Among women, low and average final school grades were not associated with weekly gambling when adjusting for substance use. Lower final school grades were associated with ARPG among women but not among men when all potential confounders were adjusted for. Conclusions: Adolescents with lower final school grades are more likely to gamble weekly later in life. Lower final school grades are also linked with ARPG among women. It is important therefore for schools to have clear policies on gambling and to implement early prevention programmes.

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Multimorbidity, psychoactive substance use and psychological distress among acute medically ill patients: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052428 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. e052428

Author(s):

Saranda Kabashi ◽

Danil Gamboa ◽

Vigdis Vindenes ◽

Thomas Berg ◽

Thor Arthur Hilberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medically Ill ◽

Risky Alcohol ◽

Medicinal Drugs ◽

Medically Ill Patients

BackgroundIn order to target the complex health needs of patients with multimorbidity using psychoactive substances, knowledge regarding the association between substance use and multimorbidity in an acute setting is needed.AimsExamine psychoactive substance use patterns among acute medically ill patients, and determine the association between multimorbidity and substance use, and psychological distress.DesignCross-sectional study.Setting and participants2874 acute medically ill patients admitted to a medical emergency department in Oslo, Norway.MeasurementsPrimary outcome: multimorbidity recorded by the presence of ≥2 International Classification of Diseases 10th revision—physical and/or mental health conditions per patient, extracted from medical records. Predictor variables: self-reported data on age, sex, occupational status, psychological distress (Hopkins Symptom Check List-5), alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-4) and results from blood samples on psychoactive medicinal and illicit drugs.FindingsOf all patients, 57.2% had multimorbidity. Of these, 62.6% reported psychological distress, 85.5% consumed either alcohol, medicinal and/or illicit drugs and 64.4% combined alcohol with psychoactive medicinal drugs. Patients with risky alcohol use were more likely to have multimorbidity compared with patients with low-risk alcohol use (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.05 to 2.24). Patients using psychoactive medicinal drugs were more likely to have multimorbidity compared with non-users (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.67).ConclusionMultimorbidity was associated with psychoactive medicinal drug and risky alcohol use, and psychological distress. Substance use was widespread, with alcohol and psychoactive medicinal drugs most frequently combined. Monitoring substance use among multimorbid patients is necessary to develop tailored treatments, and reduce burden on the healthcare system.

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Autonomy, competence and relatedness and cannabis and alcohol use among youth in Canada: a cross-sectional analysis

Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada ◽

10.24095/hpcdp.40.5/6.09 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 40 (5/6) ◽

pp. 201-210

Author(s):

Aganeta Enns ◽

Heather Orpana

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Use ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Binge Drinking ◽

Positive Mental Health ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Substance Use Prevention ◽

Satisfaction Scale ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sectional Analysis

Introduction There has been increasing attention on preventing problematic youth substance use in light of concerns about rates of use and policy changes in Canada. Strengths-based approaches that emphasize protective factors, including positive mental health, are at the forefront of current prevention recommendations. However, there is a dearth of research on the association between positive mental health and substance use among youth. This study examines the associations between cannabis and alcohol use among youth and positive mental health as measured through the lens of self-determination theory. Methods Secondary analyses of the 2014/2015 Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS) were conducted. Participating Grade 7 to 12 students residing in Canada completed the Children's Intrinsic Needs Satisfaction Scale (CINSS), which measures autonomy, competence and relatedness, and answered questions that measure past 30-day and more frequent cannabis use, alcohol use and binge-drinking. The associations between autonomy, competence and relatedness and substance use, stratified by sex, were examined using logistic regression. Results Fully adjusted models revealed that relatedness and competence were associated with lower odds of 30-day and more frequent cannabis use, alcohol use and binge-drinking. Higher autonomy was associated with higher odds of these behaviours. All associations were significant with the exception of competence and more frequent cannabis use among boys, and autonomy and more frequent alcohol use among girls. Conclusion The findings offer new evidence on the associations between positive mental health and substance use among youth, specifically how autonomy, competence and relatedness are associated with cannabis use, alcohol use and binge-drinking. This evidence can be used to inform health promotion and substance use prevention programs.

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Sex Differences in the Association Between Cannabis Use and Suicidal Ideation and Attempts, Depression, and Psychological Distress Among Canadians

The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0706743718804542 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 64 (5) ◽

pp. 345-350 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Jillian E. Halladay ◽

Michael H. Boyle ◽

Catharine Munn ◽

Susan M. Jack ◽

Katholiki Georgiades

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Use ◽

Sex Differences ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Future Research ◽

Suicidal Thoughts ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Nationally Representative

Background: Depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders are leading causes of morbidity worldwide. The most commonly used illicit substance is cannabis and there is some evidence that the association between cannabis use and poor mental health is more pronounced among females compared with males. This analysis examines sex differences in the association between cannabis use and major depressive episode (MDE), suicidal thoughts and attempts, and psychological distress. Methods: This study uses data from the 2002 and 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey’s Mental Health Component, repeated cross-sectional surveys of nationally representative samples of Canadians 15 years of age and older ( n = 43,466). Linear and binary logistic regressions were performed, applying weighting and bootstrapping. Results: There were significant sex differences in the strength of the association between cannabis use and suicidal thoughts and attempts and psychological distress, but not MDE. Females who reported using cannabis occasionally (defined as 1 to 4 times a month) reported higher levels of psychological distress than their male counterparts. Females who reported using regularly (defined as more than once per week) reported higher levels of psychological distress and were more likely to report suicidal thoughts and attempts. Conclusions: Future research is needed to further our understanding of the nature of these sex differences. Public health messaging should incorporate being female as a potential risk factor for the co-occurrence of cannabis use and emotional problems, particularly at higher frequencies of use. Clinicians should also be aware of this association to better inform integrated mental health and substance use screening, discussions, and care, particularly for female patients.

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Alcohol use and mental health during COVID-19 lockdown: A cross-sectional study in a sample of UK adults

Drug and Alcohol Dependence ◽

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108488 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 219 ◽

pp. 108488

Author(s):

Louis Jacob ◽

Lee Smith ◽

Nicola C. Armstrong ◽

Anita Yakkundi ◽

Yvonne Barnett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

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The Association between Sociocultural Factors and Substance Use among Haramaya University Students

Substance Abuse Research and Treatment ◽

10.1177/11782218211004522 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

pp. 117822182110045

Author(s):

Zelalem Tadese Feyisa

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

University Students ◽

Health Workers ◽

Sociocultural Factors ◽

University Management ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Negatively Associated ◽

Khat Use

All the associated risk factors were not equally responsible for influencing individuals either in alcohol use, khat use, tobacco, or cannabis use. This study attempted to examine sociocultural factors influencing university students in substance use by comparing one with another. A cross-sectional study was carried out. The study used a quantitative approach to collect data from 384 students. Compared with their involvement in khat use, female students were positively influenced in cigarette and hashish use (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR = 1.102, 95% CI: 1.056, 1.149) and alcohol use (AOR = 1.066, 95% CI: 1.021, 1.113). The involvement of students in alcohol use (AOR = 0.884, 95% CI: 0.838, 0.932) and cigarettes and hashish use (AOR = 0.909, 95% CI: 0.866, 0.953) were negatively associated with stress related to their academic activities. The involvement of students in alcohol use (AOR = 0.942, 95% CI: 0.906, 0.979) was negatively associated with parental influences; involved in alcohol use (AOR = 0.445, 95% CI: 0.210, 0.941) was negatively associated with the thoughts of considering substances as an energizer. The involvement of students in alcohol use (AOR = 4.980, 95% CI: 1.614, 15.368) was positively associated with peer influences. It was, thus, suggested that the management of Haramaya University should work on creating awareness of the negative consequences of substance use. Concerned professionals, including sociologists, psychologists, and health workers, should work on raising students’ awareness as it was possible to undertake their studies without substance use. Moreover, the university management is strongly recommended to expand recreational centers within the campus. Lastly, Haramaya woreda administration should restrict the availability and accessibility of these substances around the campus.

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Mental health, compliance with measures and health prospects during the COVID-19 epidemic: the role of health literacy

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11437-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lize Hermans ◽

Stephan Van den Broucke ◽

Lydia Gisle ◽

Stefaan Demarest ◽

Rana Charafeddine

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

At Risk ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Prevalence Ratio ◽

Physical Distance ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Infection Prevalence ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Normal Life ◽

Low Health Literacy

Abstract Background The importance of health literacy in dealing with the COVID-19 epidemic has been emphasized but scarcely addressed empirically. In this study, the association of health literacy with mental health, compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures and health prospects was assessed in a Belgian context. Methods Data were extracted from the third of a series of cross-sectional online COVID-related surveys (n = 32,794). Data collection took place for 1 week starting the 28th of May 2020. People residing in Belgium and aged 18 years or older could participate. Data were collected on sociodemographic background, health literacy, multimorbidity, mental health (depression, anxiety, sleeping disorder, vitality), knowledge about COVID-19, compliance with COVID-19 measures (hygiene, physical distance, covering mouth and nose on public transport and in places where physical distance cannot be respected), and health prospects (risk for health when returning to normal life and possibility of infection). Prevalence Ratio (PR) of poor mental health, non-compliance with the measures and health prospects in relation to health literacy were calculated using Poisson regressions. Results People showing sufficient health literacy were less likely to suffer from anxiety disorders (PR = 0.47, 95% CI = [0.42–0.53]), depression (PR = 0.46, 95% CI = [0.40–0.52]) and sleeping disorders (PR = 0.85, 95% CI = [0.82–0.87]), and more likely to have optimal vitality (PR = 2.41, 95% CI = [2.05–2.84]) than people with low health literacy. They were less at risk of not complying with the COVID-19 measures (PR between 0.60 and 0.83) except one (covering mouth and nose in places where physical distance cannot be respected). Finally, they were less likely to perceive returning to normal life as threatening (PR = 0.70, 95% CI = [0.65–0.77]) and to consider themselves at risk of an infection with COVID-19 (PR = 0.75, 95% CI = [0.67–0.84]). The associations remained significant after controlling for COVID-19 knowledge and multimorbidity. Conclusions These results suggest that health literacy is a crucial factor in managing the COVID-19 epidemic and offer a perspective for future studies that target health literacy in the context of virus outbreaks.

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Prevalence and demographic, substance use, and mental health correlates of fasting among U.S. college students

Journal of Eating Disorders ◽

10.1186/s40337-021-00443-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kyle T. Ganson ◽

Rachel F. Rodgers ◽

Stuart B. Murray ◽

Jason M. Nagata

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

College Students ◽

Substance Use ◽

Eating Disorder ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Drug Use ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Men And Women ◽

The Past ◽

Self Injury

Abstract Background Fasting is an unhealthy behavior that has been frequently used as part of weight loss attempts. To date, little research has been conducted to determine the prevalence and substance use and mental health correlates of fasting among college students. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and associations between any (≥ 1 time) and regular (≥ 13 times) occurrences of fasting in the past 4 weeks and substance use and mental health correlates among a large sample of college students from 2016 to 2020. Methods Data from four academic survey years (2016–2020; N = 8255) of the national (USA) Healthy Minds Study were analyzed. Unadjusted prevalence of any and regular fasting by survey year and gender was estimated. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the associations between any and regular fasting and the demographic (age, body mass index, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, highest parental education), substance use (cigarette use, marijuana use, other illicit drug use, alcohol use), and mental health (depression, anxiety, eating disorder symptoms, suicidal ideation, non-suicidal self-injury) correlates. Results Any fasting in the past 4 weeks was common among both men (14.77%) and women (18.12%) and significantly increased from 2016 (10.30%) to 2020 (19.81%) only among men. Regular fasting significantly increased among both men and women from 2016 (men: 1.46%; women: 1.79%) to 2020 (men: 3.53%; women: 6.19%). Among men and women, both any and regular fasting in the past 4 weeks were associated with higher odds of all mental health symptoms, including a positive depression, anxiety, and eating disorder screen, suicidal ideation, and non-suicidal self-injury. Among women, but not men, any and regular fasting in the past 4 weeks were associated with higher odds of marijuana use and other illicit drug use (e.g., cocaine, ecstasy). Conclusions The results from this study underscore both the high and increasing prevalence of fasting among a national sample of college students, as well as the substance use and mental health symptoms associated with this behavior. Healthcare professionals both on and off campus should consider screening for fasting behaviors among college students and provide appropriate intervention when needed.

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Precarious employment, psychosocial risk factors and poor mental health: A cross-sectional mediation analysis

Safety Science ◽

10.1016/j.ssci.2021.105439 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 143 ◽

pp. 105439

Author(s):

Fabrizio Méndez Rivero ◽

Eva Padrosa ◽

Mireia Utzet ◽

Joan Benach ◽

Mireia Julià

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Mediation Analysis ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Psychosocial Risk Factors ◽

Psychosocial Risk ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Precarious Employment

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Improving lives not just saying no to substances: Evaluating outcomes for a young people’s substance use team trained in the AMBIT approach

Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/1359104521994875 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 490-504

Author(s):

Peter Fuggle ◽

Laura Talbot ◽

James Wheeler ◽

Jessica Rees ◽

Emily Ventre ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Use ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Young People ◽

Peer Relationships ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

Daily Living ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Integrative Therapy ◽

The Impact

Adaptive Mentalization Based Integrative Therapy (AMBIT) is a systemic, mentalization based intervention designed for young people with multiple problems including mental health problems. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of this approach both on clinical and functional outcomes for young people seen by a specialist young people’s substance use service between 2015 and 2018. About 499 cases were seen by the service during this period. Substance use outcomes were obtained for 383 cases using the Treatment Outcome Profile (TOP). Cannabis and alcohol use were the key substance use problems for 81% and 63% respectively. Functional outcomes using the AMBIT Integrative Measure (AIM) were obtained for 100 cases covering domains of daily living, socio-economic context, peer relationships and mental health. At treatment end, cannabis use reduced significantly ( t = 10.78; df = 311; p = .00; Cohen’s d ES.61 as did alcohol use ( t = 6.938; df = 242; p = .000; ES 0.44). Functional improvements were shown in five out of seven domains with highly significant total functional improvements on key problems selected by the client ( t = 14.01; df = 99; p = .000; ES1.34). Measuring functional as well as clinical outcomes appears to reflect more accurately the overall benefit of the service to clients.

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A nationwide cross-sectional study of difficulty waking up for school among adolescents

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsab157 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yu Kinoshita ◽

Osamu Itani ◽

Yuichiro Otsuka ◽

Yuuki Matsumoto ◽

Sachi Nakagome ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

High Schools ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Underlying Disease ◽

Early Morning ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Waking Up

Abstract Study Objectives To determine the prevalence of and risk-factors for difficulty waking up for school among adolescents. Methods We used a self-administered questionnaire (140 junior high schools [JHSs]; 124 senior high schools [SHSs]) selected randomly in 2012 from throughout Japan. Results Total response rate: 60.7%. Data from 38,494 JHS and 61,556 SHS students were analyzed. The prevalence of at least one instance of school tardiness/absence due to difficulty waking up over a 30-day period was 10.9(95% confidence-interval:10.5-11.3)%/2.9(2.7-3.1)% for JHS-boys and 7.7(7.3-8.1)%/2.0(1.8-2.2)% for JHS-girls. The prevalence was 15.5(15.1-15.9)%/5.6(5.3-5.9)% for SHS-boys and 14.4(14.0-14.8)%/5.9(5.6-6.2)% for SHS-girls. We used ordinal regression to identify the risk factors associated with the experience of school tardiness/absence. Factors significantly associated with school tardiness in all four groups (JHS boys/girls, SHS boys/girls) were “no-participation-in-club-activities,” “early-morning-awakening,” “feeling bad throughout a morning,” “drinking,” and “smoking.” Among associated factors, the highest odds ratio was found for monthly smoking-days (none vs. at least one-day or more) for JHS-girls at 5.30(3.57-7.85). Factors significantly associated with school absence in all four groups were “no wishing to go to university,” “no participation in club activities,” “disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep,” “long internet use,” “drinking,” “smoking,” “poor-mental-health” and “feeling bad throughout a morning.” Among associated factors, the highest odds ratio was found for monthly smoking-days (none vs. at least one-day or more) for JHS-girls at 4.60(3.45-6.15). Conclusions These results suggest that the risk factors for difficulty waking up among adolescents are sleep status, lifestyle, and mental health, which can indicate the presence of an underlying disease.

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