Health Literacy (HL) influences the decision making when it comes to health-related issues, which can include substance use. Considering the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown so far in the well-being and lifestyle habits, especially in university students, the present dissertation had the goal of exploring the relations between the HL levels, well-being and the consumption of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs during the pandemic, in comparison with the previous normal period. A total of 281 portuguese university students participated (M=23,33, SD=6,03; 76,7% female), divided between a “previous pandemic” group (n=146) and a “during pandemic” group (n=135). The results show an increase of the HL levels, during the pandemic, and more specifically an increase of the Health care and Disease prevention dimensions. The use of the studied substances showed an increase during the pandemic as well, but there were no differences concerning the well-being. There was a rise in the substance use during the pandemic. The Disease prevention was found to be a predictor of tobacco use, in the previous pandemic group. The predictors found for the consumption of alcohol and drugs in the time before the pandemic were also the Disease prevention and Health promotion and, during the pandemic, gender. This study enabled the comprehension of how university students behaved during the pandemic, which is important for the identification of risk factors, given that these are essential for the adaptation of interventions, such as a bigger focus on the HL promotion and behaviors that enhance the health of this particular population.
Date of Award | 23 Nov 2022 |
---|
Original language | Portuguese |
---|
Awarding Institution | - Universidade Católica Portuguesa
|
---|
Supervisor | Rita Francisco (Supervisor) & Miguel Arriaga (Co-Supervisor) |
---|
- Health literacy
- Well-being
- Tobacco
- Alcohol and drugs
- COVID-19
- University students
- Mestrado em Psicologia do Bem-Estar e Promoção da Saúde
Literacia em saúde, bem-estar e consumos em estudantes universitários: efeitos da pandemia
Ferreira, M. L. C. D. S. (Student). 23 Nov 2022
Student thesis: Master's Thesis