Alcohol abuse and hopelessness in young adults: a replication study

Abstract

Alcohol abuse among college students in the United States is a problem that has significant negative effects on their physical and mental health, personal life, family situation, and education. Alcohol abuse, combined with depression may lead to increased suicide attempts in the young adult population, who have suicide rates higher than the general population as a whole. The effects of alcohol abuse and depression may have a direct effect on hopelessness in the college population. This study will examine variance in hopelessness among young adults who differ in alcohol use. The relationship between hopelessness symptoms, as measured by the Beck’s Hopelessness Scale (BHS), and young adult alcohol abuse may provide additional planning tools for professionals in the prevention, treatment and relapse programs for young adult alcohol abusers. This study is a replication of the original study by Cynthia Polanco of UW-Stout (2001).