title: Gender differences in the relationship between alcohol use and anxiety symptoms among Nigerian college students.
abstract: Few studies have addressed the effect of gender on the relationship between alcohol and anxiety. Students in a Nigerian university, grouped into five separate categories of alcohol use completed the Zung's Self Rating Anxiety Scale. Although a non-linear "J shaped" relationship was found between alcohol use and anxiety symptoms among males, a linear relationship was found among females. Women tend not to share the positive effect moderate alcohol use confers on anxiety status. This gender difference may be an important consideration when planning preventive strategies for alcohol related problems in Nigerian youths.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Wesley Guild Hospital, ILESA 233001, Osun State, Nigeria. biodunwuya@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Abiodun O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Adewuya
authors.forename: Bola A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Ola
authors.forename: Olutayo O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Aloba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities