Effects of Smoking

Addictive Behaviors
Volume 31, Issue 12, December 2006, Pages 2328-2333

doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2006.03.002 | How to Cite or Link Using DOI
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Short communication
The problem of binge drinking among Italian university students: A preliminary investigation
Maria D'Alessioa, Roberto Baiocco, a, and Fiorenzo Laghia
aDepartment of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Italy

Available online 19 April 2006.

Abstract
Although binge drinking and excessive alcohol consumption are relevant public health problems in Italy, no research has been carried out on those topics for years. In the first months of the year 2005, 1000 undergraduates in a number of Italian universities were administered a survey regarding their attitudes in alcohol consumption. Participants were to complete a questionnaire including demographic and alcohol variables, the Sensation-Seeking Scale (SSSV) and the Positive Drinking Expectancy Scale (PDMS). According to previous research, students were categorized in non-drinkers, social, binge, and heavy drinkers. Results showed that the estimated percentage of binge drinking among university students is 32.9%. The survey revealed–by means of univariate and multivariate analysis–that social, binge, and heavy drinkers differ in terms of some drinking variables, in their expectancies about alcohol and in sensation-seeking dimensions. Implications for the prevention of binge drinking in young adults are currently under discussion even if further investigation into the Italian context is urgently needed.
Keywords: Alcohol; Alcohol abuse; Alcohol expectancies; Binge drinking; Sensation-seeking
Article Outline
1.
Introduction
2.
Methods
2.1. Participants and procedures
2.2. Measurement
2.2.1. Demographics
2.2.2. Alcohol use/severity
2.2.3. Personality variables
2.2.4. Drinking expectancy profile
3.
Results...