Psycho-social risk factors and behavioral disorders associated with alcohol consumption in adolescents

Introduction The use/abuse of alcohol in adolescence is constantly increasing, adolescents come into contact with alcohol at an increasingly early age. Our study estimate alcohol consumption in a large student population in Veneto and to identify possible psychosocial factors associated, with attention to the relationship between alcohol consumption and psychopathological vulnerability. Method Two questionnaires were administered: the Saturday Evening Drinking Questionnaire, specially designed for the study and act to investigate the habits and pattern of consumption of alcohol, and the Youth Self Report 11-18 (Achenbach, 2001) used to assess the possible presence of psychic and behavioral problems. We recruited 10,465 students attending secondary schools in grade I and II of two provinces of Veneto (age range 11-20 years). Results The research confirmed that the consumption of alcohol is widespread among young people (36.5%), with a higher prevalence among males (59,0%), the frequency of consumption and the amount of alcohol increase with age, in greater measure after the transition to higher education. The consumption of alcohol was associated with: attendance at public places, the late hour of returning home, the greater availability of money and externalizing behavioral problems. Conclusions This study confirms the worrying literature data on the prevalence of alcohol misuse among young people and the association with psycho-behavioral problems in a large population, putting it in combination with variables that were protective factors and risk factors to be taken into account in the planning of preventive interventions