Li-Tzy Wu

Publications [#136931] of Li-Tzy Wu

Journal Articles

  1. LT Wu, DJ Pilowsky, WE Schlenger, D Hasin, Alcohol use disorders and the use of treatment services among college-age young adults., Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.), vol. 58 no. 2 (February, 2007), pp. 192-200, ISSN 1075-2730 [doi]
    (last updated on 2013/06/01)

    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: This study examined the utilization of and the perceived need for alcohol treatment services among college-age young adults (18-22 years) according to their educational status: full-time college students, part-time college students, noncollege students (currently in school with the highest grade level below college), and nonstudents (N=11,337). This breakdown of young adults had not been addressed previously. METHODS: Secondary analyses were conducted on data from the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. RESULTS: Full-time college students (21%) were as likely to have an alcohol use disorder as nonstudents (19%), but were more likely than part-time college students (15%) and noncollege students (12%). Only 4% of full-time college students with an alcohol use disorder received any alcohol services in the past year. Of those with an alcohol use disorder who did not receive treatment services, only 2% of full-time college students, close to 1% of part-time college students, and approximately 3% of young adults who were not in college reported a perceived need for alcohol treatment. Full-time college students were less likely than noncollege students to receive treatment for alcohol use disorders. All young adults with an alcohol use disorder were very unlikely to perceive a need for alcohol treatment or counseling. CONCLUSIONS: College-age adults have a high prevalence of alcohol use disorders, yet they are very unlikely to receive alcohol treatment or early intervention services or to perceive a need for such services. Underutilization of alcohol-related services among college-age young adults deserves greater research attention.

    Keywords:
    Adolescent • Adult • Alcoholism • Attitude to Health • Community Mental Health Services • Cross-Sectional Studies • Educational Status • Female • Health Services Accessibility • Health Services Needs and Demand • Health Surveys • Humans • Incidence • Male • Patient Acceptance of Health Care • Reference Values • Socioeconomic Factors • Students • United States • epidemiology* • psychology • rehabilitation* • statistics & numerical data • statistics & numerical data* • utilization*