RESUMEN
Alcohol-related social norms are internalized beliefs regarding the extension and approval of alcohol consumption by social reference groups. Prevention programs based on social norms and behavioral insights are empirical evidence-based approaches that challenge cognitive biases and promote healthy choices by providing actual information of targeted behaviors. These programs, to our knowledge, have not been applied to reduce alcohol use in Latin-America. Objectives: This study examined the effectiveness of a school-based social norms intervention to reduce alcohol use behaviors in high-school adolescents from Cordoba city (Argentina). Ninety-two students (Mean age = 14.18±0.82 years) participated. A 2 (type of school administration: public, private) x 2 (treatment: experimental, control) factorial design was employed. Data collections provided information on actual alcohol consumption, perceived alcohol consumption of classmates and discrepancies (i.e., biases) between both measures. Results: A brief feedback session, which was complemented with the placement of posters inside the classroom, reduced the prevalence and frequency of several alcohol drinking behaviors. These effects were more noticeable in the public than in the private schools. Conclusions: This is, to our knowledge, the first report of a program that applied a social norms strategy to reduce alcohol consumption in high schoolers from South America.
Las normas sociales relacionadas con el alcohol son creencias internalizadas con respecto a la extensión y aprobación del consumo de alcohol en grupos sociales de referencia. Los programas de prevención basados en normas sociales y percepciones conductuales desafían los sesgos cognitivos y promueven elecciones saludables al proporcionar información real sobre conductas específicas. Hasta donde sabemos, estos programas no se han aplicado en Sudamérica. Objetivos: Este estudio examinó la efectividad de una intervención de normas sociales para reducir las conductas de consumo de alcohol en estudiantes de una escuela media de la ciudad de Córdoba (Argentina). Participaron 92 estudiantes (edad media = 14,18 ± 0,82 años). Se empleó un diseño factorial 2 (tipo de administración escolar: pública, privada) x 2 (tratamiento: experimental, controlado). Se recolectó información sobre el consumo real y percibido de alcohol, y se detectaron discrepancias entre ambas medidas. Resultados: Breves sesiones de retroalimentación, complementadas con carteles dentro del aula, redujeron la prevalencia y la frecuencia del consumo de alcohol. Estos efectos fueron más notorios en las escuelas públicas. Conclusiones: Este es, hasta donde sabemos, el primer reporte de aplicación de una estrategia de normas sociales para reducir el consumo de alcohol en estudiantes Sudamericanos.
As normas sociais relacionadas ao álcool são crenças internalizadas sobre a extensão e a aprovação do consumo de álcool em grupos sociais de referência. Programas de prevenção baseados em normas sociais e percepções comportamentais desafiam vieses cognitivos e promovem escolhas saudáveis por meio de informações reais sobre comportamentos específicos. Até onde sabemos, esses programas não foram aplicados na América do Sul. Objetivos: este estudo examinou a eficácia de uma intervenção de normas sociais para reduzir comportamentos de consumo de álcool em estudantes do ensino médio na cidade de Córdoba (Argentina). Participaram 92 estudantes (M idade = 14,18 ± 0,82 anos). Foi utilizado um desenho fatorial 2 (tipo de administração escolar: pública, privada) x 2 (tratamento: experimental, controle). Foram coletadas informações sobre consumo real e percebido de álcool e detectaram-se discrepâncias entre as duas medidas. Resultados: Breves sessões de feedback, complementadas por cartazes em sala de aula, reduziram a prevalência e a frequência do consumo de álcool. Esses efeitos foram mais perceptíveis nas escolas públicas. Conclusões: Este é, até onde sabemos, o primeiro estudo sobre a aplicação de uma estratégia de normas sociais para reduzir o consumo de álcool em estudantes sul-americanos.
RESUMEN
Dada la prevalencia del consumo de alcohol durante el embarazo y la lactancia y la implicancia de esta práctica para la salud de los/as bebés, se indagó sobre la información que comparten profesionales de la salud a mujeres (embarazadas o en período de lactancia) sobre el consumo de alcohol durante el embarazo y la lactancia. Para ello, se llevó a cabo un estudio observacional transversal mediante una encuesta en línea. Completaron la encuesta completa 86 profesionales de la salud (Medad=43.22, DS=9.10) y 32 sólo las preguntas sobre consumo y lactancia (n total para encuesta de lactancia=118 profesionales; Medad=44.5, DS=8.77). Los resultados arrojaron que la mayoría de los/as profesionales destaca la importancia de abordar el consumo de alcohol durante el embarazo y la lactancia, pero hay quienes permiten el consumo de alcohol durante estos períodos, a pesar de considerarse de riesgo entre moderado y alto para el/la bebé. Se concluye, entonces, que hay una necesidad de mayor formación profesional en el tema (AU)
The high prevalence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and breastfeeding has been reported. The use of alcohol during pregnancy and breastfeeding is prejudicial for babies' health. This study inquired about the information that health professionals share with women about alcohol use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Therefore, a cross-sectional observational study was conducted using an online survey. 86 health professionals (Mage=43.22, SD=9.10) completed the full survey and 32 health professionals completed only the questions about breastfeeding and alcohol use (total sample for these questions=118, Mage=44.5, SD=8.77). The results showed that almost every professional highlights the importance of approaching alcohol use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but some allow alcohol use during these periods despite the fact that a large group considered that alcohol use has moderate to high risk for the baby. The conclusions of the study are that results showed the need for more professional training on alcohol drinking risk during pregnancy and breastfeeding (AU)
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Embarazo , Recién Nacido , Lactante , Adulto , Persona de Mediana Edad , Lactancia Materna , Consumo de Bebidas Alcohólicas/efectos adversos , Embarazo , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Rol Profesional , Educación Prenatal , Estudios Transversales , Personal de Salud/educaciónRESUMEN
Resumen La previa (i.e., el consumo de alcohol antes de asistir al evento de la salida en el que puede, o no, consumirse más alcohol) incrementa marcadamente el riesgo de experimentar consecuencias negativas asociadas al consumo de alcohol. Aunque el consumo de alcohol es muy prevalente entre los adolescentes argentinos, son escasos los trabajos centrados en la previa. Este trabajo describe el consumo de alcohol y la conducta de previa en adolescentes argentinos (13 a 18 años), identifica el efecto de las normas descriptivas y los motivos de previa sobre la frecuencia de previa y la cantidad de alcohol consumido durante esta práctica, y examina variaciones en el consumo general de alcohol y en la cantidad de consecuencias negativas derivadas, en función de realizar, o no, la previa. Participaron 402 adolescentes (52.7 % mujeres) que completaron una encuesta sobre consumo de alcohol, consecuencias negativas asociadas, conducta y motivos de previa, y normas descriptivas sobre estos encuentros. El 60 % de los adolescentes reportó conducta de previa en el último año en la que consumieron, en promedio, 70 gramos de alcohol. El 85 % continuó tomando alcohol después de la previa. Quienes exhiben conducta de previa, comparados con quienes beben pero no hacen previa, consumen significativamente más alcohol y experimentan más consecuencias negativas derivadas de este consumo. A nivel multivariado, las normas descriptivas fueron el mejor predictor de los indicadores de previa. Los hallazgos sugieren que la previa sería un factor de riesgo para tener trayectorias de consumo problemático y sería beneficioso prevenir este tipo de prácticas.
Abstract In Argentina, alcohol is the most consumed psychoactive substance among adolescents and, similar to other western countries, rates of alcohol use markedly increase during this developmental stage. Arguably more concerning, heavy episodic drinking (HED, a.k.a. binge drinking) is also highly prevalent. Heavy episodic drinking can be defined as the consumption of a large quantity of alcohol (i.e., ≥ 42/70 g of pure alcohol, depending on sex and age) in one, rather brief, single setting. HED is associated with greater occurrence of a myriad of negative consequences such as alcohol-induced increments in impulsivity and risk-taking behaviors, blackouts, drunk driving, sleep and eating impairments, and the development of tolerance. Prepartying (i.e., the consumption of alcohol before attending a social event where more alcohol might, or might not, be available) is a high-risk drinking practice due to its robust association with alcohol-related negative consequences. Different factors influence alcohol use and preparty behavior. Many adolescents overestimate the drinking behaviors of their peers (descriptive norms) which, in turn, is associated with heavier alcohol use. Additionally, previous work found that one of the main reasons or motives for engaging in preparty behavior is the desire of getting intoxicated. Although alcohol use is highly prevalent among Argentinean adolescents, studies focused on prepartying are very scarce. The present study (i) describes alcohol consumption and prepartying behaviors in Argentinean adolescents (13 to 18 years old), (ii) examines the effect of descriptive norms and prepartying motives on prepartying outcomes (i.e., frequency of prepartying and drinking quantity when prepartying) and (iii) examines variations in alcohol drinking outcomes as a function of prepartying. Participants were 402 adolescents (52.7 % women) that completed a pencil and paper survey that measured alcohol consumption, prepartying outcomes, descriptive norms for prepartying, prepartying motives and alcohol-related negative consequences. Most of the sample (83 %) reported lifetime alcohol use and 64 % reported last-month alcohol use. More than half of the sample (57 %) reported engaging in prepartying behavior within the last year where they consumed an average of 70 grams of alcohol. Most of the adolescents who prepartied (85 %) continued drinking alcohol at the event. Adolescents who engaged in preparty behavior, compared to their drinking peers who did not, consumed significantly more alcohol and experienced more alcohol-related negative consequences. Specifically, 90 % of the adolescents who engaged in preparty behavior reported to engaged in heavy drinking episodes within the previous month while 68 % of drinkers who did not preparty reported to engage in that drinking pattern. At the multivariate level, descriptive norms, but not prepartying motives, were significantly associated with preparty behavior. The present results suggest that prepartying could be a risk factor for the involvement in problematic trajectories of alcohol use and, therefore, it would be beneficial to prevent adolescents from engaging in this type of drinking practice. Additionally, the present findings suggest promising avenues for intervention, such as those aimed at targeting descriptive norms. Adolescents tend to overestimate drinking behaviors among their peers, a bias that is associated with heavier alcohol use. Interventions aimed at correcting these biases have shown promising results at reducing drinking behaviors.
RESUMEN
The mechanisms that underlie the greater prevalence of alcohol use disorders in individuals with a positive family history (FH+) of alcohol abuse are still under investigation. These subjects may exhibit differential sensitivity to alcohol's effects on psychomotor stimulation and impulsivity. Alcohol-induced psychomotor stimulation, measured as the heart rate (HR) response, is a proxy for the positive rewarding effects of the drug. We analyzed alcohol-induced effects on time perception (Time Production Task), risk taking (Balloon Analogue Risk Task [BART]), and HR in FH+ and FH- participants. In the FH+ and FH- groups, women and men received 0.6 and 0.7g/kg alcohol, respectively. The alcohol dose yielded a breath alcohol concentration of 0.08% throughout the experiment. The control groups received placebo, and the subjective perception of alcohol intoxication was assessed. Alcohol intoxication significantly increased HR and the adjusted average number of pumps on the BART (a measure of risk taking) in FH+ men and women but not in FH- participants. Behavioral impulsivity was unaffected by alcohol or a FH of alcohol abuse. FH- but not FH+ participants who received alcohol reported significantly greater subjective perception of alcohol's effects than their placebo counterparts. These results indicate that FH+ individuals presented heightened sensitivity to alcohol-induced HR stimulation and alcohol-induced risk taking compared with their FH- counterparts. FH+ subjects, however, were insensitive to the subjective effects of alcohol. This idiosyncratic response pattern may be a likely pathway by which a FH of alcohol problems promotes alcohol drinking.
Asunto(s)
Alcoholismo/epidemiología , Sistema Nervioso Autónomo/efectos de los fármacos , Depresores del Sistema Nervioso Central/farmacología , Etanol/farmacología , Asunción de Riesgos , Adolescente , Adulto , Argentina/epidemiología , Familia , Femenino , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad/epidemiología , Humanos , Masculino , Desempeño Psicomotor/efectos de los fármacos , Riesgo , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
The present work was aimed at analyzing the psychometric properties of the Spanish Brief YAACQ in a sample of Argentinean college students applying the Item Response Theory. Participants were 302 college students (59.9% females) who reported drinking alcohol within the last month. The B-YAACQ was translated into Spanish and the psychometric properties of this Spanish version were analyzed applying the Rasch Model, as well as testing group difference and conducting correlational analyses. The verification of the global fit of the data showed adequate indexes for the persons and items. The reliability estimate of the items was very high (.97), while the reliability estimate of the persons was modest (.65). All but one item had adequate fit indexes. B-YAACQ scores were strongly related to measures of hazardous alcohol drinking, including frequency of drunkenness episodes and frequency of heavy episodic drinking, indicating concurrent validity. The item content along the severity continuum was fairly similar to that found with US and Dutch samples. Three items had a gender bias against men and another three items showed a gender bias against women, indicating the presence of differential item functioning cancellation. The map of items and persons suggests that these 24 items do not provide a full coverage of the continuum of alcohol problems at the lower levels of the continuum. Overall, results from the present study suggest that the Spanish B-YAACQ offers a brief and efficient way to identify alcohol problems in Spanish-speaking college students.
Asunto(s)
Trastornos Relacionados con Alcohol/diagnóstico , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Argentina , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Psicometría , Factores Sexuales , España , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
AIMS: The aim of the study was to analyze independent and potential interactive effects of age at drinking onset and family history of alcohol abuse on subsequent patterns of alcohol drinking, alcohol-related problems and substance use. METHODS: Participants were college students (60.3% females, mean age = 20.27 ± 2.54 years) from the city of Córdoba, Argentina. Several measures were used to assess alcohol, tobacco and drug use. The Spanish version of the Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire was used to assess alcohol-related problems. Factorial analyses of variance, or its non-parametric equivalent, were performed to explore differences in substance use behaviors and alcohol-related problems in subjects with early or late drinking onset and with or without family history of alcohol abuse. Chi-square tests were conducted to analyze the association between these two risk factors and categorical measures of alcohol, tobacco and drug use. RESULTS: Early onset of drinking was associated with amount of consumption of alcohol including up to hazardous levels, as well as tobacco and drug use. However, the frequency of alcohol problems and frequency of episodes of alcohol intoxication were only related to age of onset in those with a positive family history of alcohol problems. CONCLUSION: Delaying drinking debut is particularly important in the prevention of future alcohol problems in those adolescents who have a family history of such problems.