The influence of gender, anxiety and food cravings on alcohol use within a university population

Marissa Jacques, Peta Berenice Stapleton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of gender, anxiety and food cravings on alcohol use within a university population. University students (N = 150) completed a survey containing a demographic questionnaire, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, the State Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Food Cravings Inventory. Results revealed gender was a significant predictor of alcohol use in university students, with males reporting greater levels of alcohol consumption than females. Food cravings were also observed to be a significant predictor of alcohol use in university students, independent of gender. Unexpectedly, state and trait anxiety failed to significantly predict alcohol use in the current sample. Results of the study are in line with empirical literature, social incentive and expectancy theories of alcohol use. Overall, our findings tentatively suggest a link between alcohol use and food cravings, which may assist in the development of more effective treatments for alcohol use disorders and eating disorders in university students.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)36-47
Number of pages12
JournalThe New School Psychology Bulletin
Volume12
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2015

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