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Depression and consumption of alcohol and tobacco among high school and college students

Abstract:

Depression is an emotional condition that disrupts the psycho-affective sphere and is associated with different risk behaviors among young people, such as consumption of alcohol and tobacco. The aim of this study is to analyze the differences in depression across four groups of high school and college students (alcohol users, tobacco users, alcohol and tobacco non-users, and alcohol and tobacco users). A survey was conducted with 116,214 students with a mean age of 15 (high school) and 19 (college). Heavy alcohol and tobacco use was more common among men. A factorial ANOVA analysis was used to compare depressive symptoms between heavy drinkers (4 or more drinks per occasion) and heavy smokers (4 or more cigarettes per day) by sex and academic level. More depressive symptoms were found in college students (M=9.7) than in high school students (M = 9.5, p<0.05). The group of alcohol and tobacco users showed higher levels of depressive symptoms (M=11.3) than the alcohol only (M=10.5) and tobacco only users (M=10.7). Women showed more depressive symptoms (M=10.3) than men. Results indicate the need for early detection and intervention, and for more monitoring strategies to implement measures to reduce alcohol and tobacco use in this population and, ultimately, depressive outcomes.