The Influence of Gender, Anxiety and Food Cravings on Alcohol Use within a University Population
Year: 2015
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of gender, anxiety and food cravings on alcohol use within a university population. University students (N = 150) completed a survey containing a demographic questionnaire, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, the State Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Food Cravings Inventory. Results revealed gender was a significant predictor of alcohol use in university students, with males reporting greater levels of alcohol consumption than females. Food cravings were also observed to be a significant predictor of alcohol use in university students, independent of gender. Unexpectedly, state and trait anxiety failed to significantly predict alcohol use in the current sample. Results of the study are in line with empirical literature, social incentive and expectancy theories of alcohol use. Overall, our findings tentatively suggest a link between alcohol use and food cravings, which may assist in the development of more effective treatments for alcohol use disorders and eating disorders in university students.
Authors: Jaques Marissa, Peta Stapleton
Institution: Bond University
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1594542835