MENTAL HEALTH AND SOME RISKY BEHAVIORS OF STUDENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The aim of this study was to research the relationship between depression, stress and some risky behaviors, i.e. the use of alcohol, marijuana and problematic Internet use (PIU) during the Covid-19 pandemic among students of the University of Zagreb. The research was conducted during July, 2022. The final sample consisted of 112 participants who met the criteria for inclusion in the sample, 97 were female, 13 male and 2 undetermined. The questionnaire consisted of The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (modified), Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (modified) and The Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale. The research was conducted online (through students Facebook groups). The data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient in the statistical program IBM SPSS Statistics v20. The results showed the correlation between stress and alcohol consumption, as well as between stress and problematic Internet use. The correlation between stress and marijuana consumption has not been established, despite the fact that previous researches and theories indicate its existence. Correlation between depression and the consumption of marijuana and alcohol have also not been established. The results of this research can be used as guidelines for future research and the development of prevention programs.