Evolution of the Risk of Problematic Alcohol Use in University Students: A Longitudinal Study Based on the uniHcos Cohort Data
Abstract This study aims to analyse the evolution of problematic alcohol use among Spanish university students. A longitudinal analysis was performed on data from the uniHcos cohort ( n = 1181; 76.7% female). Participants were assessed at university entry (T1) and after 2–3 years (T2). The overall alcohol consumption prevalence remained high and stable (past 30-days alcohol use 76.2% at T1; 76.4% at T2). Binge drinking practice in the past 30 days was also consistent (44.0% at T1; 44.3% at T2). Regarding the risk of problematic alcohol (measured with AUDIT), the prevalence rates remained stable over time (28.2% in T1 to 30.3% in T2). However, a high persistence rate was observed during university (61% of cases), and 18% of new incident cases were detected during follow-up. Factors associated with an increased risk of problematic alcohol included cohabitation with peers, psychological distress, smoking, and drug experimentation. No sex differences were identified. These findings highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies to address increasing risky alcohol use among university students and mitigate its long-term effects.
Authors
- Carlos Ayán (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3374-843X)
- Ramona Mateos-Campos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0154-5761)
- Jorge Arias de la Torre
- Tania Fernández‐Villa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9049-3026)
- Gema Blázquez Abellán (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0153-2079)
- Carmen Amezcua‐Prieto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0957-4057)
- María Morales‐Suárez‐Varela (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0785-1492)
- Susana Redondo Martín (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6438-4486)
- Vicente Martín (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0552-2804)
- Jéssica Alonso-Molero (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1939-8798)
- Antonio J. Molina (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5948-6397)
- Rocío Ortiz-Moncada (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9179-2530)
- Lorena Botella-Juan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4886-1673)
- Ana Delgado (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0178-9600)
- Miguel Delgado-Rodríguez
Institutions
- Universidad de Valladolid (ES)
- University of Alicante (ES)
- Universidad de Cantabria (ES)
- Universitat de València (ES)
- Universidad de Granada (ES)
- Universidad de Salamanca (ES)
- Universidad de Jaén (ES)
- Florence Nightingale Foundation (GB)
- Galicia Sur Biomedical Foundation (ES)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ES)
- Junta de Castilla y León (ES)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (ES)
- Universidade de Vigo (ES)
- Universidad de Huelva (ES)
- University of Castilla-La Mancha (ES)
- Universidad de León (ES)
Publication Details
- Journal
- International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
- Published
- 2025-06-17
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-025-01512-3
- Citations
- 4
- Primary Topic
- Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 5.42
Funders
- Consejería de Educación, Junta de Castilla y León
- Universidad de León
- Plan Nacional sobre Drogas
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III