Relationship of Binge Drinking with Impairments Affecting Memory and Executive Function among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Northern Spain

Manuel Herrero-Montes, Cristina Alonso-Blanco, María Paz-Zulueta, Amada Pellico-López, Laura Ruiz-Azcona, Carmen Sarabia-Cobo, Ester Boixadera-Planas and Paula Parás-Bravo
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Manuel Herrero-Montes: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Cantabria, 39008 Cantabria, Spain
Cristina Alonso-Blanco: Department of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation, and Physical Medicine, University Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Madrid, Spain
María Paz-Zulueta: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Cantabria, 39008 Cantabria, Spain
Amada Pellico-López: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Cantabria, 39008 Cantabria, Spain
Laura Ruiz-Azcona: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Cantabria, 39008 Cantabria, Spain
Carmen Sarabia-Cobo: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Cantabria, 39008 Cantabria, Spain
Ester Boixadera-Planas: Servei d’Estadística Aplicada of the UAB, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
Paula Parás-Bravo: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Cantabria, 39008 Cantabria, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-12

Abstract: Binge drinking (BD) is a common practice among college students. Alcohol consumption may affect brain structures that continue to develop in early adulthood. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship of BD with impairments affecting memory and executive function among university students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among students (aged 18–30 years) enrolled for the academic year 2018–2019 at the Faculty of Nursing of the University of Cantabria (Spain). Data collection included sociodemographic and academic information, together with alcohol and drug use information, collected by means of a semi-structured questionnaire. A battery of validated tests was used to gather neuropsychological variables. A total of 142 participants were included, of which 88.03% were women. Up to 38.03% were classified as BD. No differences were found in memory tests. Regarding executive function, better performance in the Stroop Color and Word Test was observed in non-BD but the results were not statistically significant. In conclusion, no relationship was found between memory and executive function and BD, although better performance in executive function, specifically inhibitory control, was observed in non-BD.

Keywords: binge drinking; alcohol-related disorders; young adulthood; alcohol drinking in college; brain function; psychological test (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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