Social Capital and Lifestyle Impacts on Mental Health in University Students in Colombia: An Observational Study.

Introduction: For young adults, the first year of higher education represents a transition period into adulthood associated with an increased risk of developing depression, anxiety, and stress, contributing to deteriorating physical and mental health. The present study aimed to analyze the relationship between depressive symptoms and social capital and lifestyles among Colombian university students. Methods: In 2020, a longitudinal repeated measures study was conducted on first year students at Universidad de los Andes in Bogota, Colombia. The study was conceptualized and approved by the university before the COVID-19 pandemic appeared. Each student completed a self-administered questionnaire including questions on sociodemographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, perceived stress, social capital, and lifestyles. The study's pilot was conducted in November 2019, and the two measurement points were in January 2020 (wave 1, before the COVID-19 pandemic was declared) and in August 2020 (wave 2, during the COVID-19 pandemic). A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between depressive symptoms, perceived stress, social capital, and lifestyles. Findings: A total of 609 first year students (response rate = 58.11%) participated in wave 1, and 42% of the participants showed signs of clinically relevant depressive symptoms. In wave 2, despite the difficulties encountered in collecting data due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 216 students from wave 1 participated (35.47%). An increase in a sedentary lifestyle was observed (31.49%). We found that cognitive and behavioral social capital levels decreased by 12.03 and 24.54%, respectively. In addition, we observed a 6.5% increase in students with clinically relevant depressive symptoms compared to wave 1. A low level of behavioral [OR: 1.88; 95% CI (1.16, 3.04)] social capital was associated with clinically relevant depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The health of university students continues to be a public health concern. The study suggests that social capital may play an important role in preventing depressive symptoms. Therefore, universities should put effort into programs that bring students together and promote the creation of social capital.

Efectos de la publicidad en el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas en escolares de Bogotá / Media influence on adolescent alcohol consumption in schoolsin Bogotá

Objetivo Este estudio pretendemostrar las percepciones que tiene un grupo de adolescentes escolarizados entre 12 y 14 años, frente al consumo de bebidas alcohólicas y su relación con la publicidad de las mismas. Metodología Desde un enfoque cualitativo se realizaron grupos focales, entrevistas semiestructuradas y sesiones de observación participante, en dos colegios públicos de la ciudad de Bogotá, con escolares entre los 12 y 14 años de edad. Resultados En sus diferentes intervenciones los escolares refieren que el consumo de alcohol en esta franja de edad es una conducta frecuente y valorada como algo positivo. Se hace evidente que jóvenes entre los 12 y los 14 años están expuestos a la publicidad relacionada con el consumo de alcohol;recordando y haciendo referencia de diversas piezas publicitarias en televisión, vallas, afiches, redes sociales y páginas de la internet. Esta publicidad para los participantes asocia el consumo de alcohol con temas llamativos como son el fútbol, las fiestas y los amigos. Discusión Los resultados son consistentes con estudios cuantitativos que muestran una elevada prevalencia de consumo de alcohol en adolescentes colombianos. Se evidencia una relación entre la valoración positiva del consumo que hacen adolescentes de 12 a 14 años, la normalización del consumo y la publicidad que llega a ellos y que promueve el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas. Estos resultados cuestionan la efectividad de las regulaciones actuales frente a la publicidad del alcohol lo que debe ser tenido en cuenta para el diseño de nuevas políticas públicas.(AU)

Objective This study shows perceptions of alcohol drinking (AD) and its relationship with the media among adolescents 12 to 14 years old. Methods We performed a qualitative study with adolescents 12 to 14 years old from two public schools in Bogotá (Colombia), using focus groups, semi-structured interviews and participant observation as the primary data collection methods. Results The participants repeatedly referred to AD in this age group as a highly prevalent behavior with a positive valuation. It was also evident that teenagers 12 to 14 years old have frequent contact with alcohol-related publicity; they remember clearly and bring into the conversation many commercials and advertisements from TV, fences, posters, and websites from social networks and many brands. For participants, all of these advertising methods associate AD with enjoyable topics such as soccer, parties and friends. Discussion Our results are consistent with quantitative studies showing a high prevalence of AD among Colombian teenagers. We present a clear relationship between positive valuations of consumption among teenagers 12 to 14 years old, social normalization of consumption and contact with alcohol-promoting publicity. Our results question the efficacy of the current law regulations on alcohol advertising, and they should be taken into account for the design of new public policies on that matter.(AU)

[Media influence on adolescent alcohol consumption in schoolsin Bogotá]. / Efectos de la publicidad en el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas en escolares de Bogotá.

Objective This study shows perceptions of alcohol drinking (AD) and its relationship with the media among adolescents 12 to 14 years old. Methods We performed a qualitative study with adolescents 12 to 14 years old from two public schools in Bogotá (Colombia), using focus groups, semi-structured interviews and participant observation as the primary data collection methods. Results The participants repeatedly referred to AD in this age group as a highly prevalent behavior with a positive valuation. It was also evident that teenagers 12 to 14 years old have frequent contact with alcohol-related publicity; they remember clearly and bring into the conversation many commercials and advertisements from TV, fences, posters, and websites from social networks and many brands. For participants, all of these advertising methods associate AD with enjoyable topics such as soccer, parties and friends. Discussion Our results are consistent with quantitative studies showing a high prevalence of AD among Colombian teenagers. We present a clear relationship between positive valuations of consumption among teenagers 12 to 14 years old, social normalization of consumption and contact with alcohol-promoting publicity. Our results question the efficacy of the current law regulations on alcohol advertising, and they should be taken into account for the design of new public policies on that matter.