%0 Journal Article
%T Disentangling the relationship between self-esteem and problematic alcohol use among college students: evidence from a cluster analytic approach
%J Alcohol and alcoholism
%D 2019
%A Gierski, Fabien
%A De Wever, Elodie
%A Benzerouk, Farid
%A Lannoy, Séverine
%A Kaladjian, Arthur
%A Naassila, Mickaël
%A Quaglino, Veronique
%V ePub
%N ePub
%P ePub-ePub
%X AIMS: Investigation of the relationship between self-esteem and alcohol use among college students has yielded discrepant results. We hypothesized that these discrepancies could originate from a potential heterogeneity of self-esteem patterns among young adult with an alcohol use disorder (AUD). <br><br>METHODS: A community sample of 343 college students was recruited and categorized with or without AUD using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test cut-offs. College students were compared on the dimensions of the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI) as well as mood, impulsiveness, alcohol- and other substance-related measures, including drinking motives. <br><br>RESULTS: A cluster analysis conducted among college students with AUD highlighted two subgroups characterized by contrasting patterns on the CSEI: one group with a high level of self-esteem and low levels of anxiety and depression symptoms and one group with a low level of self-esteem and high levels of impulsiveness, mood symptoms and drinking to cope motives. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Findings caution against assuming that AUD is associated with low self-esteem, as reported in previous studies. These results rather emphasize a heterogeneity of self-esteem in college students, showing that high self-esteem was also related to AUD. Implications of these results are major for prevention purposes and clinical practice.<br><br>© The Author(s) 2019. Medical Council on Alcohol and Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Oxford University Press
%@ 0735-0414
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agz097