Excessive alcohol consumption is more prevalent among female college students rather than men, according to new research released in the journal Trends in Neuroscience and Education. Alcoholism was also correlated with less interest in academia.
For the study, researchers focused on the comparison of neurobehaviors and academic performance among a sample of college students who consumed a minimal amount of alcohol and another group that consumed an excessive amount.
“The purpose of this study was to compare neurobehaviors and academic effort among college students with low alcohol use with those of high alcohol consumption and build conceptual models that represent the integration of the different variables,” Lina Begdache, and her colleagues, stated in the findings.
As part of their study, the research team administered an anonymous online survey to a small population of college participants enrolled in various US-based academic institutions. The surveys assessed alcohol use, academic performance, lifestyle factors, and mental wellness.
Based on the findings, participants of both genders exhibited similar behavioral responses to excessive alcohol consumption, commonly regulated by the limbic system. Among the female college students who consumed high amounts of alcohol, cognitive aptitudes were more evident compared to men.
“Young women reported generally less interest in academic work and performance than young men. The latter reported more risky behaviors, such as being arrested, from excessive drinking,” the study’s co-authors determined.
“We also found that young women are more likely to depend on alcohol to improve mental well-being, which is also concerning, as they may self-medicate through drinking.”
“Our results depicted common neurobehaviors and differential responses to high alcohol use,” the co-authors concluded.
