Student-, Study- and COVID-19-Related Predictors of Students’ Smoking, Binge Drinking and Cannabis Use before and during the Initial COVID-19 Lockdown in The Netherlands

Kirsten J. M. van Hooijdonk, Milagros Rubio, Sterre S. H. Simons, Tirza H. J. van Noorden, Maartje Luijten, Sabine A. E. Geurts and Jacqueline M. Vink
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Kirsten J. M. van Hooijdonk: Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Milagros Rubio: Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Sterre S. H. Simons: Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Tirza H. J. van Noorden: Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Maartje Luijten: Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Sabine A. E. Geurts: Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Jacqueline M. Vink: Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 2, 1-15

Abstract: Tobacco, alcohol and cannabis are commonly used among university students. However, student lives and their substance use have changed dramatically since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 on (trends in) weekly smoking, weekly binge drinking and weekly cannabis use in Dutch university students and investigated associated student-, study- and COVID-19-related characteristics. Between April and June 2020, several Dutch higher educational institutes invited their students to participate in an online survey. Data of 9967 students (M age = 22.0 (SD = 2.6); N female = 7008 (70.3%)) were available for analyses. Overall, weekly smoking remained stable (±11.5%), weekly binge drinking decreased (from 27.8% to 13.9%) and weekly cannabis use increased (from 6.7% to 8.6%). Male gender, not living with parents, being a bachelor student, having less financial resources and less adherence to the COVID-19 measures were found to increase the risk of substance use (before/during the first COVID-19 lockdown). Additionally, male gender, not living with parents, being a bachelor student, not being born in the Netherlands and having a student loan contributed to the likelihood of increased substance use during COVID-19. Patterns of characteristics contributing to the likelihood of decreased weekly substance use during COVID-19 were less clear. The risk factors male gender, not living with parents and being a bachelor student do not only contribute to the likelihood of using substances but also contribute to the likelihood of increased use during a lockdown. Prevention and intervention programs should especially target these risk groups.

Keywords: COVID-19; pandemic; student; tobacco smoking; binge drinking; cannabis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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