Citation

Borsari B, Yalch MM, Pedrelli P, Radomski S, Bachrach RL, Read JP. J. Am. Coll. Health 2018; 66(7): 644-654.

Affiliation

Massachusetts General Hospital , one Bowdoin Square , Boston , MA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2018.1446438

PMID

29488834

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study examined how profiles of alcohol use and symptoms of common mental health disorders (depression and posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]) influenced the perceived need for and actual seeking of different types of treatment (for alcohol versus psychological distress) in college student drinkers. PARTICIPANTS: Undergraduate students (N = 164) were assessed between September 2009 and August 2015.

METHODS: We classified students into different symptom profiles using model-based clustering and compared these profiles on a variety of variables.

RESULTS: The cluster model yielded three profiles: Low Risk (n = 66), Concomitant (n = 35), and Heavy Drinking (n = 63). Students in these profiles significantly differed in alcohol consumption, alcohol-related cognitions and problems, and perceptions of need and prior engagement in treatment.

CONCLUSION: A variety of strategies can be used to engage students experiencing heavy drinking and/or mental health problems into treatment on campus.

Language: en

Keywords

PTSD; Treatment seeking; alcohol; college students; depression