Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / This thesis researched the relationship between alcohol consumption, socioeconomic characteristics and alcohol-related harms such as subjective health status, chronic health conditions and mental health status in South Africa. The study sought to determine if the alcohol harm paradox (AHP) exists in the country. The AHP is the empirical finding that socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals tend to suffer more alcohol-related harms compared to individuals who are socioeconomically advantaged, despite reporting similar or lower levels of alcohol consumption on average. The research presented the contextual background to alcohol consumption in the country that helped form the current drinking culture, which includes the harmful drinking culture fomented by the apartheid system in the townships and farms of South Africa. The study also reviewed the effectiveness of current alcohol policies and legislation in addressing alcohol-related harms in the South African society. / 2023

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Self-reported alcohol use in 500 men (mean age 36 yrs) arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) of intoxicants was examined in relation to MMPI profile patterns identified by multivariate procedures. Although DUI offenders were found to share mild antisocial tendencies, it was possible to isolate profile patterns associated with comparatively higher levels of self-reported drinking. Most pronounced was the relationship between higher levels of estimated average alcohol consumption and patterns in which indices of depression and social deviance were elevated, or the 2-4 2-point code type pattern. Comparisons of prototypic profile patterns derived from samples of DUI offenders, alcoholics, and psychiatric patients revealed limited profile replicability. However, the 2-4 code type pattern was consistently found in samples of DUI offenders and alcoholics, and a single profile pattern indicative of moderate social deviance and impulsivity was common to each sample. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).

Background: Mortality from colorectal cancer (CRC) can be reduced drastically by early detection and early treatment. However, uptake of CRC screening is relatively low, about 50% for those whom the test is highly recommended. Objectives: We examined the influence of and racial differences in depression, insomnia, alcohol use, and tobacco use on CRC screening uptake in the US. Patients and Methods: Analysis of the 2012 National Health Information Survey data was conducted. Both weighted univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed in SAS to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of 21511 participants were included in the analysis. Results: Prevalence of CRC screening in the participants was 19%. Adjusting for all factors, insomnia (OR = 1.18, 95%CI = 1.06 - 1.32), moderate alcohol drinking (OR = 1.16, 95%CI = 1.01 - 1.30), past smoking (OR = 1.17, 95%CI = 1.04 - 1.32), depression (OR = 1.37, 95%CI = 1.18 - 1.58), African American (AA) race, and cancer history were positively associated with CRC screening. Females and Single were inversely associated with CRC screening prevalence. In stratified analysis by races (White and AA), depression was associated with CRC screening in both races. Marital status, smoking, cancer history and insomnia were associated with CRC screening in Whites only; while alcohol use was associated with CRC screening in AAs only. Conclusions: We have found significant associations between lifestyle factors (alcohol consumption and smoking) and mental health problems (depression and insomnia) and CRC screening uptake. To improve overall CRC screening uptake in the US, it is important to consider racial differences in predictors and tailor appropriate interventions to each racial/ethnic group.

Objectives: As unrecorded alcohol use contributes to a substantial burden of disease, this study characterises this phenomenon in newly independent states (NIS) of the former Soviet Union with regard to the sources of unrecorded alcohol, and the proportion of unrecorded of total alcohol consumption. We also investigate associated sociodemographic characteristics and drinking patterns. Design: Cross-sectional data on overall and unrecorded alcohol use in the past 7 days from WHO STEPwise Approach to NCD Risk Factor Surveillance (STEPS) surveys. Descriptive statistics were calculated at the country level, hierarchical logistic and linear regression models were used to investigate sociodemographic characteristics and drinking patterns associated with using unrecorded alcohol. Setting: Nine NIS (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) in the years 2013–2017. Participants: Nationally representative samples including a total of 36 259 participants. Results: A total of 6251 participants (19.7%; 95% CI 7.9% to 31.5%) reported alcohol consumption in the past 7 days, 2185 of which (35.1%; 95% CI 8.2% to 62.0%) reported unrecorded alcohol consumption with pronounced differences between countries. The population-weighted average proportion of unrecorded consumption in nine NIS was 8.7% (95% CI 5.9% to 12.4%). The most common type of unrecorded alcohol was home-made spirits, followed by home-made beer and wine. Older (45–69 vs 25–44 years) and unemployed (vs employed) participants had higher odds of using unrecorded alcohol. More nuanced sociodemographic differences were observed for specific types of unrecorded alcohol. Conclusions This contribution is the first to highlight both, prevalence and composition of unrecorded alcohol consumption in nine NIS. The observed proportions and sources of unrecorded alcohol are discussed in light of local challenges in policy implementation, especially in regard to the newly formed Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), as some but not all NIS are in the EAEU.

Past research has shown a positive relationship between alcohol consumption and alcohol related consequences. Protective behavioral strategies (PBS) are able to lower the negative effects of drinking alcohol, however, the protective effects of PBS at times is moderated by situational circumstances or individual differences. This study looks at the cognitive metaphor of being a Head or Heart person and the moderating effects it has on PBS and alcohol consumption and alcohol related consequences. Participants completed the AUDIT-C to measure drinking habits, the PBSS to asses strategy usage, the YAAQC to measure drinking problems and a self-report single item measure for Head versus Heart identification. It was found that those who identify themselves as Head people have a stronger relationship between PBS use and alcohol consumption which in turn showed a stronger negative relationship between PBS use and alcohol related consequences via alcohol use. These findings suggest that PBS have stronger protective effects within those who identify themselves as Head people.

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Excessive alcohol consumption is a widespread concern among many college campuses. Most of the data on the prevalence and adverse consequences associated with college drinking are gathered from self-report surveys, which require respondents to have a knowledge of standard drink sizes. Unfortunately, the reliability and validity of these data are questionable because college students are typically unable to define or pour standard drinks. Efforts to improve college students’ self-reported alcohol consumption are warranted. Some researchers suggest that we can improve self-reports of alcohol consumption by providing college students with feedback on the accuracy of their standard drink free-pours (White et al., 2005). However, the evidence supporting the use of feedback to improve the validity of self-report is limited by aggregate data, lack of repeated measures, evaluation of only one type of beer, and no evaluation of the effects of feedback on observable behavior (e.g., free-pour). The current study replicated White et al. (2005) using a single-case design and repeated measures to examine the effects of feedback on college students’ self-report as well as their free-pours. Results showed feedback improved the accuracy of college students’ free-pours of standard servings of beer containing 5% alcohol by volume (ABV); however, this skill did not generalize to pouring standard servings of a higher ABV (8%) beer. Unlike White et al. (2005), the feedback had little effect on college students’ self-reported alcohol consumption. Future researchers should use a similar single-case design to evaluate if feedback on various types of alcohol (such as beer, wine, and liquor) systematically affects college students’ self-reports. If so, this feedback could potentially be used as a method to improve the reliability or validity of college students’ self-reported alcohol consumption, and potentially lead to more accurate evaluations of alcohol reduction interventions.

Syftet med denna uppsats var att undersöka huruvida upplevd stress påverkar alkoholkonsumtionen hos vuxna (individer från 18 år). De hypoteser som undersöktes var att riskfylld och skadlig alkoholkonsumtion varierar beroende på ålder och kön och att det finns ett positivt samband mellan upplevd stress och alkoholkonsumtion. Med andra ord, stress kan möjligtvis öka alkoholkonsumtionen genom att alkohol fungerar som en coping-mekanism för att hantera stress. Hypoteserna besvarades med kvantitativ metod. Ett urval av vuxna deltagare (N=49) besvarade en digital enkät bestående av frågeformulären AUDIT och PSS-10. Analysen genomfördes med hjälp av statistiska metoder, såsom t-test, korrelations- och regressionsanalyser. Resultatet visade att män hade högre alkoholkonsumtion än kvinnor, vilket stöds av andra studier. AUDIT korrelerade med de tre variablerna kön, ålder och stress men regressionsanalysen påvisade att endast ålder och kön predicerade AUDIT signifikant. Studiens resultat visade att kön och ålder predicerade AUDIT signifikant men stress predicerade inte AUDIT signifikant. Stress har ett samband med alkoholkonsumtion men studien kunde inte påvisa att stress exklusivt bidrar till alkoholkonsumtion, när kön och ålder togs i beaktande. I resultatet påvisades det att ålder hade ett negativt samband i korrelations- och regressionsanalysen gällande alkoholkonsumtion. / The purpose of this thesis was to investigate whether perceived stress affects alcohol consumption for an adult population (individuals from 18 years old). The hypotheses investigated were that risky and harmful alcohol consumption varies depending on age and gender and that perceived stress and alcohol consumption have a positive correlation, i.e., stress can cause an increase in alcohol consumption, in circumstances in which alcohol becomes a coping strategy for individuals under high levels of perceived stress. The hypotheses were investigated using quantitative methods. A sample of adult participants (N=49) answered a digital survey consisting of the AUDIT and PSS-10 questionnaires. The analysis was carried out using statistical methods, such as t-test, correlation, and regression analyses. The results showed that men had higher alcohol consumption than women, which is supported by other studies. AUDIT correlated with the three variables gender, age and stress, but the regression analysis showed that only age and gender predicted AUDIT significantly. The results of the study showed that gender and age predicted AUDIT significantly, but stress did not predict AUDIT significantly. Stress is associated with alcohol consumption, but the study could not demonstrate that stress exclusively contributes to alcohol consumption, when gender and age were considered. The results showed that age had a negative connection in correlation- and regression analysis regarding alcohol consumption.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between alcohol advertising and alcohol consumption among the youth in the Vaal triangle, south of Gauteng. The study was conducted in four high schools under Sedibeng West District of the Gauteng Department of Education. A quantitative approach in the form of a questionnaire was used to conduct the research. Results obtained indicated that there is no significant correlation between alcohol advertising and alcohol consumption among the respondents. Drawing on the findings and literature review, recommendations were made to government, the liquor industry and schools that participated in the study. Limitations of the study were identified and recommendations were made for the benefit of future research. The primary and secondary objectives of the study were successfully realised in this study. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015