Alcohol Drinking, Smoking, Cannabis Use and Physical and Mental Health among Finnish University Students : A Longitudinal Study
Year: 2003
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: 9 of the female and 11.1% of the male first-year students, and 4.4% of the female and 10.8% of the male fifth-year students could be considered heavy drinkers. On the other hand, over two thirds of the first-year heavy drinkers decreased their alcohol consumption to the level of social drinking. No changes were noted in the frequency of drinking for intoxication between these two time points. The smoking among university students decreased significantly during the followup: the proportion of female non-smokers increased from 80% to 90% and that of male non-smokers from 78% to 84%. About half of the first-year heavy smokers continued similar smoking in their fifth year of studies. However, more than half of the first-year female and male smokers had quit smoking by the time they reached their fifth study year. Experimenting with cannabis increased significantly during the follow-up: in the first year, 88% of the students reported no experience with cannabis use, while in the fifth year the corresponding percentage was 78%. The maximum use (at least 5 times altogether) was reported by 70 (3%) first-year students and by 88 (5%) fifthyear students. Male students reported significantly more experimenting than female students. Nine percent of the students who expressed no use of cannabis in their first year reported at least some use in their fifth study year. The frequency of cannabis use also increased during the follow-up. The cannabis use was highly associated with both smoking and alcohol consumption. By and large, the university students' health status was good: over 85% of the students reported excellent or good health in both inquiries. Depression, tension and anxiety nevertheless increased significantly during the follow-up, as did also stress experiences. Alcohol consumption associated significantly with depression.
Source: Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja
Author: Ulla Salonen
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2725431301