The Involvement of Age, Gender, and Personality Variables in Alcohol Consumption during the Start of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Romanian University Students

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the age, gender, and personality variables involved in alcohol consumption (AC) at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania among 210 bachelor’s and master’s students aged between 19 and 25 years. The results of the Freiburg Personality Inventory–Revised and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test were examined using a logistic model and cluster analysis. The prevalence of problematic AC was relatively low (10.5%). The risk of males being part of the problematic AC cluster was 5.223 times higher than that of females (p < 0.001). Increasing age was associated with a decrease in the risk of belonging to the problematic cluster by a factor of 0.733 (p = 0.001). Increasing scores on the Frankness and Somatic Complaints personality scales were associated with a decreased risk of belonging to the problematic cluster of AC, with factors of 0.738 (95% CI, 0.643 to 0.848), Wald χ2(1) = 18.424, and p < 0.001 and 0.901 (95% CI, 0.813 to 0.999), Wald χ2(1) = 3.925, and p = 0.048, respectively. More action to prevent AC is needed in men, especially in those at the beginning of their university studies. It is necessary to intervene to decrease the interest in making a good impression (low scores on the Frankness Scale) so as to increase healthy autonomy using critical thinking and find a balance between the internal and external loci of control. Students from faculties with profiles that deal with health and its promotion are less vulnerable to problematic alcohol consumption, even if they have a withdrawn, pessimistic personality (low scores on Somatic Complaints).

Emotional, coping factors and personality traits that influenced alcohol consumption in Romanian students during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study

“…Rada & Lungu [ 14 ] found that the share of those with a low risk of AC according to the WHO Audit in a sample of 210 undergraduate and master’s students evaluated in the first three months of the pandemic was 83.8%. Of note, in the present sample it was 3.6% higher.…”

“…Studies on the problematic alcohol consumption (PAC) during the COVID-19 pandemic produced varied results. In contrast to Schecke et al [ 12 ], which found increased alcohol consumption (AC) levels in subjects already accustumed to heavy drinking, Calina et al [ 13 ] observed a PAC decrease, while Rada & Lungu [ 14 ] noted no changes compared to pre-pandemic periods.…”