PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS AND PATTERNS OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION IN YOUNG ADULTS FROM WESTERN ROMANIA

According to the most recent WHO report, worldwide, 3 million deaths were related to the harmful use of alcohol. In Romania, the deaths rates of young people attributable to high alcohol intake are higher than European averages. The aim of this study was to identify the psychosocial factors that are associated with increased alcohol consumption in young Romanian adults. Methods. We targeted 142 young adults, aged between 18 and 35 years, without any known chronic pathology or Alcoholics Anonymous history. Socio-demographic status, alcohol consumption, drinking behaviors, associated smoking, anxiety, depression and aggressive behavior have been collected by applying different questionnaires. Results. 86.6% were current drinkers. Alcohol consumption was associated with male gender, lower education, and current smoking. The risk of binge drinking increased with male gender (3.86-fold) and rural origin (4.72-fold) and decreased with beginning drinking at an older age (0.88-fold) and having a stable relationship. The anxiety levels were higher in the non-drinker group compared with current drinkers. Higher physical aggression scores were present in binge drinkers. Conclusion. In young Romanian adults, alcohol consumption not only reaches a high incidence but also follows worrying patterns of consumption. Urgent preventive strategies to increase responsibility and awareness are needed.