Alcohol use among college students remains a major health concern due to heavy drinking and alcohol abuse. In addition, there is a need for research to clarify ethnic differences in drinking, especially among Middle Eastern college students. The current study focuses on alcohol use among Middle Eastern college students to see if demographic factors or mental health factors are predictors.
Data was taken from the 2017-2018 Healthy Minds Study, a nationally representative survey. Participants were asked about demographics, recent alcohol use, and mental health climate. Demographics included sex, year in school, residency, and importance of religion. Recent alcohol use was assessed by asking participants if they had used alcohol in the previous two weeks. Finally, mental health climate was assessed by asking about emotional and physical abuse during the previous year. The survey also assessed mental health problems, group perceptions of cohesions, and social connections.
The study included 1,763 Middle Eastern college students with a mean age of 23 years. 45.5% of these students reported alcohol use in the previous 2 weeks with no differences between the sexes. Students who lived with their parents were less likely to report drinking and those who thought religion was not important were 3 times more likely to report alcohol use. Results showed students with mental or emotional difficulties were 1.47 times more likely to report alcohol use. 4th year students were 1.84 times more likely to report alcohol use. Overall, students in their 4th year of schooling, those not living with parents, and those reporting religion not being a major part of their life were the students most likely to consume alcohol in the previous 2 weeks. These findings provide insight into specific risks for Middle Eastern college students and help to guide interventions towards the most at risk groups.
Take Away: The current study focuses on alcohol use among Middle Eastern college students to see if demographic factors or mental health factors are predictors. Data was taken from the 2017-2018 Healthy Minds Study that was a nationally representative survey. Participants were asked about demographics, recent alcohol use, and mental health climate. The study included 1,763 Middle Eastern college students with a mean age of 23 years. Overall, students in their 4th year of schooling, those not living with parents, and those reporting religion not being a major part of their life were the students most likely to consume alcohol in the previous 2 weeks. These findings provide insight into specific risks for Middle Eastern college students and help to guide interventions towards the most at risk groups.