Associations among trauma, depression, and alcohol use profiles and treatment motivation and engagement in college students. Issue 7 (3rd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Borsari, Brian; Yalch, Matthew M.; Pedrelli, Paola; Radomski, Sharon; Bachrach, Rachel L.; Read, Jennifer P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of American college health. Volume 66:Issue 7(2018)
• Page Start: 644
• Page End: 654
• Publication Date: 2018-10-03
• Subjects: Alcohol -- college students -- depression -- PTSD -- treatment seeking; College students -- Health and hygiene -- United States -- Periodicals; College students -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; College students -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Universities and colleges -- Health promotion services -- Periodicals; 362.10883781980973
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2018.1446438
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0744-8481

Abstract

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.