Aims

Investigation of the relationship between self-esteem and alcohol use among college students has yielded discrepant results. We hypothesized that these discrepancies could originate from a potential heterogeneity of self-esteem patterns among young adult with an alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Methods

A community sample of 343 college students was recruited and categorized with or without AUD using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test cut-offs. College students were compared on the dimensions of the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI) as well as mood, impulsiveness, alcohol- and other substance-related measures, including drinking motives.

Results

A cluster analysis conducted among college students with AUD highlighted two subgroups characterized by contrasting patterns on the CSEI: one group with a high level of self-esteem and low levels of anxiety and depression symptoms and one group with a low level of self-esteem and high levels of impulsiveness, mood symptoms and drinking to cope motives.

Conclusion

Findings caution against assuming that AUD is associated with low self-esteem, as reported in previous studies. These results rather emphasize a heterogeneity of self-esteem in college students, showing that high self-esteem was also related to AUD. Implications of these results are major for prevention purposes and clinical practice.

中文翻译：

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解开自尊与大学生酗酒之间的关系：基于聚类分析方法的证据

目的

对大学生自尊与饮酒之间的关系进行的调查得出了不一致的结果。我们假设这些差异可能源于酒精使用障碍（AUD）的年轻成年人中自尊模式的潜在异质性。

方法

使用酒精使用障碍识别测试的临界值，对343名大学生的社区样本进行了分类，不论是否使用AUD。比较了大学生的库珀史密斯自尊量表（CSEI）的大小，以及情绪，冲动，酒精和其他与物质有关的措施，包括饮酒动机。

结果

在AUD的大学生中进行的聚类分析突出了两个以CSEI的模式不同为特征的亚组：一组自尊水平高，焦虑和抑郁症状水平低，另一组自尊水平低，高冲动，情绪症状和饮酒以应对动机。

结论

如先前的研究报告所述，研究结果提醒人们不要假设AUD与低自尊相关。这些结果反而强调了大学生自尊心的异质性，表明高自尊心也与AUD有关。这些结果对预防目的和临床实践意义重大。