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Is Alcohol Consumption Associated with Poor Perceived Academic Performance? Survey of Undergraduates in Finland

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  • Walid El Ansari

    (Department of Surgery, Hamad General Hospital, Doha 3050, Qatar
    College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha 3050, Qatar
    School of Health and Education, University of Skovde, 541 28 Skövde, Sweden)

  • Abdul Salam

    (Neuroscience Institute, Hamad General Hospital, Doha 3050, Qatar)

  • Sakari Suominen

    (School of Health and Education, University of Skovde, 541 28 Skövde, Sweden)

Abstract

The relationship between academic performance and alcohol consumption among students remains inconsistent. We assessed this relationship, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics across seven faculties at the University of Turku (1177 undergraduates). An online questionnaire assessed: seven sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, year/discipline of study, accommodation type, being in intimate relationship, parental education, and income sufficiency); two perceived academic performance (students’ subjective importance of achieving good grades and students’ appraisal of their academic performance compared to peers); and six alcohol consumption behaviors (length of time, amount consumed, frequency, heavy episodic drinking, problem drinking, and possible alcohol dependence). Simple logistic regression assessed relationships between sociodemographic and academic variables with alcohol consumption behaviors; multiple logistic regression assessed the same relationships after controlling for all other variables. Students reported long duration and large amount of drinking (46% and 50%), high frequency of drinking (41%), heavy episodic drinking (66%), problem drinking (29%), and possible alcohol dependence (9%). After controlling, gender was associated with all alcohol consumption behaviors, followed by religiosity (associated with four alcohol behaviors), living situation, marital status, age (each associated with two alcohol behaviors), and parental education and year of study (each associated with one alcohol behavior). Study discipline, income sufficiency, importance of achieving good grades, and academic performance compared to peers were not associated with any alcohol behaviors. Universities need to assess problem drinking and alcohol use disorders among students. Prevention strategies are required to reduce risk. Health promotion efforts could focus on beliefs and expectations about alcohol and target student groups at risk for more efficient and successful efforts.

Suggested Citation

  • Walid El Ansari & Abdul Salam & Sakari Suominen, 2020. "Is Alcohol Consumption Associated with Poor Perceived Academic Performance? Survey of Undergraduates in Finland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-19, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:4:p:1369-:d:323025
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Walid El Ansari & Christiane Stock, 2010. "Is the Health and Wellbeing of University Students Associated with their Academic Performance? Cross Sectional Findings from the United Kingdom," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-19, February.
    2. Azeb Gebresilassie Tesema & Znabu Hadush Kahsay & Gebrezgi Gidey Lemma & Welday Hagos Gebretsadik & Mamuye Mussie Weldemaryam & Gebrecherkos Gebregiorgis Alemayohu & Maree L Hackett, 2020. "Prevalence of, Factors Associated with and Level of Dependence of Psychoactive Substance Use among Mekelle University Students, Ethiopia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-11, January.
    3. Diana Salas-Gomez & Mario Fernandez-Gorgojo & Ana Pozueta & Isabel Diaz-Ceballos & Maider Lamarain & Carmen Perez & Pascual Sanchez-Juan, 2016. "Binge Drinking in Young University Students Is Associated with Alterations in Executive Functions Related to Their Starting Age," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(11), pages 1-12, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alicia Busto Miramontes & Lucía Moure-Rodríguez & Narmeen Mallah & Ainara Díaz-Geada & Montserrat Corral & Fernando Cadaveira & Francisco Caamaño-Isorna, 2021. "Alcohol Consumption among Freshman College Students in Spain: Individual and Pooled Analyses of Three Cross-Sectional Surveys (2005, 2012 and 2016)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-13, March.
    2. Hanif Abdul Rahman & Areekul Amornsriwatanakul & Khadizah H. Abdul-Mumin & Denny Agustiningsih & Surasak Chaiyasong & Michael Chia & Supat Chupradit & Le Quang Huy & Katiya Ivanovitch & Ira Nurmala & , 2022. "Prevalence of Health-Risk Behaviors and Mental Well-Being of ASEAN University Students in COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-15, July.
    3. Janina Petkeviciene & Vilma Kriaucioniene & Asta Raskiliene, 2022. "Academic Achievements, Satisfaction with Studies and Risky Behaviours among First-Year Students of Kaunas (Lithuania) Universities, 2000–2017," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-12, June.
    4. Carsten Müller & Kareem El-Ansari & Walid El Ansari, 2022. "Health-Promoting Behavior and Lifestyle Characteristics of Students as a Function of Sex and Academic Level," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-18, June.
    5. Walid El Ansari & Abdul Salam, 2021. "Multi-Substance Use Behaviors: Prevalence and Correlates of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) Use among University Students in Finland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-14, June.
    6. Walid El Ansari & Abdul Salam, 2020. "Is Achieving the Guidelines of Four Forms of Physical Activity Associated with Less Self-Reported Health Complaints? Cross-Sectional Study of Undergraduates at the University of Turku, Finland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-19, August.

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