Changes in cannabis use in Spanish consumers during the COVID-19 lockdown according to gender, age, living situation and addiction level. / Cambios en el consumo de cannabis en consumidores españoles durante el confinamiento por la COVID-19 según sexo, edad, situación de convivencia y nivel de adicción.

The objective was to analyze the changes in cannabis use during lockdown considering sex, age, living situation and level of addiction. This descriptive and non-probabilistic study used a convenience sample of 208 participants with ages between 18-57 years (64.3% men; mean age = 31.39 years), that reported consuming cannabis. The frequency of distinct typologies of cannabis use was analyzed and the level of addiction with the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST). An online survey was used to collect the variables under study. A total of 25% consumers increased their spliff (marijuana mixed with tobacco) consumption, 11.9% increased their joint (marijuana cigarette) consumption and 11.8% increased their hashish spliff consumption. Men had higher levels of cannabis addiction, however, during lockdown they reduced their marijuana spliff consumption while both men and women increased their joint consumption. Marijuana spliff consumption showed a greater increase in the 25-29 age group, in those living with people other than relatives or a partner, alone, or with a partner and was reduced mainly in those living with parents or other relatives. The living alone 18-24 years old group, and the living with parents 35-44 years old group showed higher levels of cannabis addiction (CAST). The rate of dependent consumers who increased their marijuana spliff consumption (49%) doubled compared to consumers with no addiction and moderate addiction. Regarding joints, consumption was 1.5 times higher than for moderate addiction consumers and three times higher than those with no addiction. The risk of cannabis addiction increased in certain groups during lockdown.

El objetivo fue analizar el consumo de cannabis durante el confinamiento según sexo, edad, situación de convivencia y nivel de adicción. Estudio descriptivo no probabilístico con una muestra de conveniencia de 208 participantes con edades entre 18-57 años (64,3% hombres; edad media = 31,39 años) que reportaron consumir cannabis. Se analizó la frecuencia de distintas tipologías de consumo de cannabis y el nivel de adicción con el Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST). La recogida de datos se realizó mediante encuesta online. El 25% de consumidores aumentó su consumo de porros de marihuana mezclada con tabaco; el 11,9% de cigarros de marihuana; y el 11,8% de porros de hachís mezclado con tabaco. Los hombres presentaron mayor nivel de adicción al cannabis. Sin embargo, redujeron su consumo de porros durante el confinamiento. Hombres y mujeres incrementaron su consumo de cigarros de marihuana. El consumo de porros se incrementó mayormente en el grupo de 25-29 años, entre quienes convivían con personas distintas a familiares y pareja, vivían solas, o en pareja; y se redujo entre quienes vivían con progenitores o familiares. Mostraron mayor nivel de adicción al cannabis (CAST) el grupo entre 18-24 años que vive solo y el grupo entre 35-44 años que convive con sus progenitores. Los consumidores con dependencia que incrementan su consumo de porros (49%) fue dos veces superior respecto a los grupos sin adicción y con adicción moderada. El consumo de cigarros de marihuana (20,8%) fue 1,5 veces superior que para adicción moderada y más del triple que para sin adicción. El riesgo de adicción a cannabis aumentó en ciertos grupos durante el confinamiento.

Correction to: Cannabis Use in Young and Adult University Students Before and During the COVID-19 Lockdown, According to Gender and Age.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s11469-022-00991-y.].

Changes in tobacco and e-cigarette consumption in Spanish university students during the COVID-19 lockdown: Identification of vulnerable groups.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to determine the changes in tobacco consumption in Spanish university students during the lockdown in 2020, and to identify vulnerable groups based on gender, age, and living situation. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. From a sample of 1540 Spanish university students, 19.9% (n=306; 77.6% women; mean age=30.9 years; SD=8.3) reported having consumed tobacco. The frequency and average daily consumption of cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) before the pandemic and during lockdown were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 97.1% of students consumed only cigarettes, 2.9% only ENDS, and 3.3% were dual consumers. During lockdown, cigarette consumption was significantly reduced (5.3 before; 4.0 during; t(71)=3.6255; p<0.001) in the youngest group (aged 18-24 years). However, women daily users significantly increased their consumption (t(149)= -2.5461; p<0.05) and so did the 35-44 years age group (t(32)= -2.2285; p<0.05). Cigarette consumption significantly increased in those who were living alone (5.6 to 7.2; Z= -2.351; p<0.05) and with a partner (7.2 to 8.0; t(97)= -2.3771; p<0.05), but decreased in those who were living with their parents or other relatives (6.2 to 4.5; t(101)=3.4298; p<0.001). A total of 17.0% ceased consumption during lockdown, mainly women, younger students (aged 18-24 years), and those who lived with their parents. None of the people who used cigarettes daily during the pre-pandemic period stopped smoking during lockdown. CONCLUSIONS: Younger university students and those living with their parents decreased their tobacco use during the lockdown. Potentially vulnerable groups at risk of increasing their consumption were women who consumed tobacco daily before the pandemic and students aged 35-44 years who lived alone or with their partner.

Problematic Internet Use, Depressive Symptomatology and Suicidal Ideation in University Students During COVID-19 Confinement.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to estimate the rate of PIU in Spanish university students during the lockdown, taking sex and age into account, and to analyze its relationship with depression and suicidal ideation. METHOD: 921 university students (55% women) from 18 to 30 years old (M = 24.8 years; SD = 3) participated. RESULTS: The results showed that 21% of the participants presented PIU, 25.1% moderate depression, 2.1% severe depression, and 6.6% suicidal ideation. The 18 to 21-year-old age group presented the highest rate of PIU (37.8%). A positive correlation was observed between PIU and depression (r = .38; p (241.813) = -8.21; < d = .78) in university students with PIU (M = 9.8; SD = 5.1) than those without it (M = 6.4; SD = 4.1). The rate of severe depression was six times greater (χ2 (3) = 73.25; p < .001) in undergraduates with PIU (6.2%) than those without PIU (0.8%). Moreover, 3.6% of university students with PIU presented suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings establish the association between PIU and depression and suicidal ideation in the university population, providing novel contributions for prevention policies.

Cannabis Use in Young and Adult University Students Before and During the COVID-19 Lockdown, According to Gender and Age.

The objectives were: (a) to establish cannabis use prevalence in university students; (b) to determine the changes in consumption of cannabis between prior to and during lockdown. Problematic consumption, gender, and age were taken into account to establish risk groups. Of 1,472 participants between 18-54 years (M = 27.51), 8.01% reported using cannabis before and/or during lockdown (56.6% male). The Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST) was used to detect cannabis abuse. The main form of consumption was spliffs (89.9%). The mean of spliffs consumed per day decreased during lockdown, but was only significant in male and in the 18-24 group. This decrease was also significant for all three levels of CAST problematic use. Users with moderate addiction and dependence reduced their average number of spliffs consumed per day during lockdown to a greater extent than those without addiction. These findings establish target groups of prevention interventions in the university.

Depression, Suicidal Ideation, and Consumption of Psychotropic Drugs During Lockdown by COVID-19 According to Gender and Age.

The objective was to analyze the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation and psychotropic drugs use during COVID-19 lockdown in adult population considering gender and age. The method used is a descriptive and non-probabilistic study, with a convenience sampling of 3780 participants (70.1% female), aged 18-64 years (M = 37.8). 18.3% participants presented depression and 5.1% exhibited suicidal ideation. The depression rate for female was double (21.4%) than male and 5 times higher (30.2%) for the youngest participants (18-24 years old) compared to oldest (55-64 years old), being this rate triple in suicidal ideation (9%). Depression correlated positively with tranquilizers and sleeping pills' consumption; and suicidal ideation did so with tranquilizers and sedatives. The rate of tranquilizer users was 8 times higher for severe depression compared to those who did not present depression, 5 times higher for sleeping pills, and 6 times higher for sedatives. The rate of tranquilizer users exhibiting suicidal ideation was more than triple than those who did not present suicidal ideation, between 3 and 4 times higher for sleeping pills, and almost 7 times higher for sedatives. The higher the level of depression and suicidal ideation during lockdown, the greater the consumption of psychotropic drugs. The consumption of psychotropic drugs should be monitored in people with depression and suicidal ideation during periods of crisis.

Age and Living Situation as Key Factors in Understanding Changes in Alcohol Use during COVID-19 Confinement.

(1) The aim of the present study was to evaluate and characterize changes in alcohol use during the COVID-19 confinement in a sample of Spanish adults, analyzing their age and living situation as defining life cycle variables. (2) Method: Data from 3779 individuals were collected through a set of online surveys. AUDIT-C was used to measure the frequency of consumption, the average daily consumption, intensive consumption, risky consumption, and Standard Drink Units. (3) Results: Although alcohol consumption during confinement showed a significant general decline, age revealed important differences, with the decline being more pronounced in adults from 18 to 29 years old. The living situation also showed significant differences. The largest decreases in alcohol consumption were found in those who lived with their parents or other relatives, whereas those who lived alone or with a partner even increased their level of consumption. In addition, the data show a significant interaction between these two variables and gender. (4) Conclusions: Age and cohabitation processes are key factors in understanding the life situation of each individual during confinement and, consequently, in explaining consumption patterns. The results obtained provide interesting recommendations for designing prevention policies in both normal and crisis circumstances, emphasizing the need to understand alcohol use from a psychosocial perspective.

Changes in Alcohol Consumption Pattern Based on Gender during COVID-19 Confinement in Spain.

(1) The goal of this study was to analyze the prevalence and pattern of alcohol consumption (frequency of consumption, average daily consumption, and risky consumption) before and during confinement due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the adult population and based on gender. (2) Methods: Data from 3779 individuals were collected via a set of online surveys. The AUDIT alcohol consumption questions (AUDIT-C) were used to measure the frequency of consumption, the average daily consumption, intensive consumption, risky consumption, and standard drink units. (3) Results: During confinement, the prevalence of alcohol consumption declined in both males and females, but only intensive consumption showed significant differences, with a greater reduction in males. The number of females who consumed alcohol four or more times per week doubled, whereas the number of males who did so was multiplied by a factor of 1.5; in both females and males, the percentage who presented intensive consumption doubled. The percentage of females with risky consumption was higher than that of males both before and during confinement. In addition to gender, the interaction between age and the employment situation explain consumption before and during confinement. (4) Conclusions: During confinement due to COVID-19, alcohol consumption declined in both sexes, but alcohol-risk consumers increased their frequency of use. The interaction between gender, age, and employment situation was related to these changes. These findings are relevant for guiding public health and health-risk management policies related to alcohol consumption in environmental situations similar to COVID-19.

Consumo de alcohol durante el COVID-19 en Latinoamérica según edad y situación de empleo / Alcohol consumption during COVID-19 in Latin America according to age and employment situation

Esta investigación evaluó el consumo de alcohol en población adulta Latinoamericana y del Caribe latino durante el confinamiento por COVID-19, atendiendo a la edad y situación laboral. Diseño no probabilístico con muestreo por conveniencia, con una muestra de 4975 participantes. Se analizó edad, situación laboral y consumo de alcohol durante el confinamiento y retrospectivamente antes de la pandemia. Los resultados muestran que independientemente del país, los jóvenes de 18-29 años disminuyeron el consumo durante el confinamiento; mientras que el mayor aumento fue en adultos de 45-54 años. Los trabajadores a tiempo completo consumieron más que las personas desempleadas. Empleados a tiempo completo y a tiempo parcial, disminuyeron su consumo durante el confinamiento. Trabajadores por cuenta propia mostraron un consumo de alcohol significativamente superior al de empleados a tiempo completo y a tiempo parcial, durante el confinamiento. Es importante impulsar políticas de prevención del consumo de alcohol en el ámbito laboral. (AU)

This research evaluated alcohol consumption in the Latin American and Latin Caribbean adult population during COVID-19 confinement, taking into account age and employment status. Non-probabilistic design with convenience sampling, with a sample of 4975 participants. Age, employment status and alcohol consumption were analyzed during confinement and retrospectively before the pandemic. The results show that regardless of the country, young people aged 18-29 decreased consumption during confinement; while the largest increase was in adults aged 45-54 years. Full-time workers consumed more than unemployed people. Full-time and part-time employees decreased their consumption during confinement. Self-employed workers showed significantly higher alcohol consumption than full-time and part-time employees during confinement. It is important to promote policies to prevent alcohol consumption in the workplace. (AU)

Problematic Internet Use, Depressive Symptomatology and Suicidal Ideation in University Students During COVID-19 Confinement / Uso Problemático de Internet, Sintomatología Depresiva e Ideación Suicida en Universitarios Durante el Confinamiento por COVID-19

Background: The aim was to estimate the rate of PIU in Spanish university students during the lockdown, taking sex and age into account, and to analyze its relationship with depression and suicidal ideation. Method: 921 university students (55% women) from 18 to 30 years old (M = 24.8 years; SD = 3) participated. Results: The results showed that 21% of the participants presented PIU, 25.1% moderate depression, 2.1% severe depression, and 6.6% suicidal ideation. The 18 to 21-year-old age group presented the highest rate of PIU (37.8%). A positive correlation was observed between PIU and depression (r = .38; p < .001), with a significantly higher mean score on the PHQ-9 (t(241.813) = -8.21; p < .001; d = .78) in university students with PIU (M = 9.8; SD = 5.1) than those without it (M = 6.4; SD = 4.1). The rate of severe depression was six times greater (χ2(3) = 73.25; p < .001) in undergraduates with PIU (6.2%) than those without PIU (0.8%). Moreover, 3.6% of university students with PIU presented suicidal ideation. Conclusions: These findings establish the association between PIU and depression and suicidal ideation in the university population, providing novel contributions for prevention policies.(AU)

Antecedentes: El objetivo fue estimar la tasa de PIU en universitarios españoles durante el confinamiento, considerando sexo y edad, y analizar su relación con depresión e ideación suicida. Método: Participaron 921 estudiantes universitarios (55% mujeres) de 18 a 30 años (M = 24.8 años; SD = 3). Resultados: Los resultados mostraron que el 21% presentaron PIU; 25.1% depresión moderada; 2.1% depresión severa; y 6.6% ideación suicida. El grupo de 18 a 21 años presentó la mayor tasa de PIU (37.8%). Se observó una correlación positiva entre PIU y depresión (r = .38; p < .001), con una puntuación media significativamente mayor en el PHQ-9 (t(241.813) = -8.21; p < .001; d = .78) en universitarios con PIU (M = 9.8; SD = 5.1) frente a los que no la tienen (M = 6.4; SD = 4.1). La tasa de depresión severa fue seis veces mayor (χ2(3) = 73.25; p < .001) en los universitarios con PIU (6.2%) en comparación con los que no tenían PIU (0.8%). El 3.6% de los universitarios con PIU presentó ideación suicida. Conclusiones: Estos hallazgos establecen la asociación entre PIU y depresión e ideación suicida en población universitaria, brindando aportes novedosos para las políticas de prevención.(AU)