Consumo de álcool e depressão em jovens portugueses

Abstract

Alcohol consumption and depression have been investigated through the AUDIT and BDI scales. 484 students have participated in this study; 283 attended secondary school and 199 were college students, of both genders (299 women, 185 men). Their average age was 18.85 + 2.93, between 15 and 30 years old. The results of the AUDIT (n=478) indicate that 92%, of these students show an abstinence/normal consumption pattern and that 8% have developed a high-risk consumption pattern. Among the latter, 82.5% were considered to have high-risk consumption patterns, 10% to have harmful consumption patterns and7.5% to have alcohol dependence. The high-risk consumption was especially strong among boys (52%), university students (61%) and young people from 20 to 24 years (59%). The harmful consumption prevailed among boys (100%), university students (100%) and young people from 20 to 24 years old (100%). Dependence was significant among boys (100%), secondary school students (67%) and teenagers from 15 to 19 years (67%). A significant correlation was found betweenalcohol use, gender variables (r = -.190, p < .01), age (r = .147; p < .01) and schooling (r = .186, p <. 01). The results of BDI (n = 420) showed 9% of dysphoria or depression. There was a significant correlation between the results of BDI with gender (r = .149; p < .01) and alcohol use (r = .118; p < .05). We discuss the influence of this relationship in the positive social djustment and the strategies to promote health in young people.