Giovanni Umberto Aresi

‘That right level of intoxication’: A Grounded Theory study on young adults’ drinking in nightlife settings

The present study examined the meaning and functions of drinking across different nightlife settings (e.g., bars, dance clubs) in a sample of Italian young adults. A Grounded Theory recursive and iterative process of data collection, through 10 focus group interviews, and data analysis revealed the complex and dynamic nature of young peoples experience of drinking in nightlife settings. Results indicated that three major categories of social nightlife settings associated with different meanings and uses of alcohol: a more moderate social drinking in bars, a pursuit of a desired level of intoxication in dancing settings, like nightclubs, with festivities and celebratory settings most associated with alcohol abuse and heavy drunkenness as a mean to maximize the celebration and the uniqueness of the event. The core category emerging was related to the collective social process of youngsters optimizing alcohol intake throughout the night to find and maintain a desired level of intoxication (‘just the right buzz’) in dancing settings, to reach a controlled disinhibition to get what they consider positive outcomes minimizing negative ones. Results can be informative for other cultural regions too where differences in the drinking experience across nightlife settings have not been fully addressed yet.

Demographic and Predeparture Factors Associated With Drinking and Alcohol-Related Consequences for College Students Completing Study Abroad Experiences

Abstract Objective: Study abroad students are at risk for increased and problematic drinking behavior. As few efforts have been made to examine this at-risk population, the authors predicted drinking and alcohol-related consequences abroad from predeparture and site-specific factors. Participants: The sample consisted of 339 students completing study abroad programs. Methods: Participants filled out online measures at predeparture, abroad, and at postreturn. Results: The authors found that drinking and consequences abroad were predicted by a number of factors, including demographics (eg, younger age, male sex, Greek affiliation, white ethnicity), student factors (eg, low GPA, major area of study), study abroad site factors (eg, apartment living abroad, study in Europe), predeparture levels of drinking and consequences, sensation seeking, and goals related to social gathering. Conclusions: Findings can be used to inform campus policies for admission to study abroad programs as well as assist in the development of interventions targeted toward preventing risk for students during abroad experiences.

When Living and Working Well Together in Organizations Changes Into Good Social Coexistence: The Talent Club Case

In our contemporary age, where a combination of individualism and mutual distrust is unhappily common among people and society is “liquid” and disoriented, so-called intermediate units (groups, associations) are a precious resource that promotes positive coexistence within organizations and in local communities, too. The present contribution describes an example of such an intermediate unit, the Talent Club, located in a peripheral neighborhood of a metropolitan area in northern Italy. This case study shows the development of positive living and working together in organizations and their transformation in the tool for community development and good coexistence. Qualitative and quantitative data show that the relational aspect is crucial because it promotes authentic exchange among people, supporting participation and social cohesion against self-referential habits and isolation. Although at present the Talent Club is mostly functioning in a affiliating coexistence among members, seeds of a more generative coexistence are clearly detectable.

Drinking, Drug Use, and Related Consequences Among University Students Completing Study Abroad Experiences: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT Background: University students who complete study abroad experiences are potentially exposed to behaviors, in particular alcohol and drug use, that place their health at risk. There is a need to identify risk and protective factors and highlight knowledge gaps. Methods: A systematic review adopting the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. Relevant bibliographic databases and online repositories were systematically searched for both qualitative and quantitative peer-reviewed studies. Results: Eighteen articles were eligible for inclusion. Degree mobility students (DMSs—students pursuing a full bachelor or master degree in a foreign country) and Credit Mobility Students (CMSs—students participating in short term or semester study abroad programmes) show different patterns of at-risk behaviors compared to pre-departure, and to domestic or non-study abroad students. DMSs mostly consumed less alcohol and illicit substances compared to domestic students, but little information on pre-travel behavior and predictors of at-risk behaviors while abroad was available on DMSs. Most studies indicated that CMSs increased their alcohol use while abroad and reduced it when they returned home. However, there is no evidence of an increase in the negative consequences associated with alcohol misuse while abroad. Different pre-departure and abroad factors (e.g., perceptions of peer drinking norms, psychological and sociocultural adjustment abroad) were related to at-risk behaviors in the host country. Conclusions: University students who study abroad are understudied and potentially at risk from alcohol and drug use. Knowledge gaps are discussed in relation to possible future qualitative, mixed methods and longitudinal research.

Patterns of Alcohol Use in Italian Emerging Adults: A Latent Class Analysis Study

Aims The goals of the current study were to identify latent classes of alcohol users among Italian emerging adults (18-33 years), examine differences in the class solution based on socio-demographic characteristics, and examine whether differences exist across classes in experiencing different types of alcohol-related negative consequences. Methods Participants (N = 5955; 62.72% female; mean age 27.19 years) were drawn from a pre-recruited Web panel designed to be representative of the Italian young adults (18-33 years) population. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify common patterns of alcohol use. Results Four classes of drinking patterns were identified: (a) Current Nondrinkers (15%); (b) Weekend Non-Risky Drinkers (51%); (c) Weekend Risky Drinkers (20%); and (d) Daily Drinkers (13%). The number and type of classes did not differ across several demographic variables, although proportions within classes varied by sex, age, occupation status and geographic area. Weekend Risky Drinkers experienced the greatest number of alcohol-related negative consequences. Conclusions The great majority of the sample displayed drinking patterns with relatively infrequent involvement in risky drinking. Preventive interventions should, instead, target those who drink alcohol on weekends only, but show the greatest negative consequences. Short Summary Four classes of drinking patterns were identified in a large representative sample of Italian young adults. The great majority of the sample displayed drinking patterns with relatively little involvement in risky drinking, though those misusing alcohol at weekends were at greatest risk to experience alcohol-related negative consequences.

DETERMINANTS OF BLOOD DONATION: A STUDY ON ORGANIZATIONAL SATISFACTION

The present research aims at investigating if motivations and social norms can determine satisfaction with organization – understood as an indicator of organizational well-being – in blood donation. Moreover, this study analyses the relations of organizational satisfaction on integration in the organization and identification with it in order to pursue research on prosocial behaviour volunteer retention. 2464 blood donors were contacted. The present work has important applicative implications as it can give guidance to blood donation organizations regarding factors determining attraction and maintenance of donors.

I am going to make the most out of it! Italian university Credit Mobility Students’ social representations of alcohol use during study abroad experiences

The aim was to explore shared representations of alcohol use in students who were to travel abroad to study. Focus group data from Italian students (N = 69) were collected. Analyses used Grounded Theory Methodology and were informed by the four key components of Social Representation Theory (cognition, emotion, attitude and behavioural intentions). The study abroad experience was described as one that would involve an increase in alcohol consumption compared to pre-departure levels. Reasons given included greater social and leisure opportunities involving alcohol, reduced social control and features of the host country environment. Opportunities to intervene and address risky alcohol use in this group are discussed.

Alcohol use, psychological distress, and subjective well-being among young adult university students: A cross-national study between Serbia and Italy

ABSTRACT Few studies have cross-nationally tested the mediators of the relationship between alcohol use and subjective well-being among university students. This study examined how self-reported psychological distress symptoms mediate the association between alcohol use (drinking frequency and binge-drinking frequency) and subjective well-being among 637 Serbian and 705 Italian university students. Psychological distress mediated the negative relationship between binge-drinking frequency and subjective well-being among Serbians (partial mediation) and Italians (full mediation). Drinking frequency was not associated with psychological distress or subjective well-being. Binge drinking may negatively affect subjective well-being among university students by enhancing symptoms of psychological distress.

Practicing community psychology through mixed methods participatory research designs

Community psychologists address social inequalities and problems by employing ecological principles, multiple methodologies, and participatory approaches to empower individuals, organizations, and communities to organize action and systems change. This article aims to contribute to mixed methods literature by presenting three models of mixed methods participatory research across a variety of geographic and sociocultural contexts. The models outline participatory processes and points of qualitative and quantitative data integration. Challenges related to the interplay between participatory approaches and mixed methods studies as well as implications on social science research are discussed.

Una ricerca-intervento in un quartiere ad alta concentrazione di locali notturni: attivare il territorio per identificare bisogni e risorse

La presenza di una elevata concentrazione di locali notturni in un’area territoriale rappresenta un fattore di rischio sia in termini di ricadute sulla salute dei frequentatori notturni stessi, sia in termini di qualita della vita degli abitanti di queste aree. La letteratura che ha studiato i quartieri ad alta concentrazione di locali notturni, i nightlife districts, si e occupata in modo limitato di descrivere il vissuto dei residenti e di promuovere il coinvolgimento degli attori del territorio. Il presente contributo descrive la componente principale, costituita dall’insieme delle interviste a stakeholder locali e abitanti, e da incontri di restituzione dei risultati, di una ricerca-intervento in un nightlife district nella citta di Milano in cui si e sperimentato un modello partecipato di valutazione dei bisogni e delle risorse del territorio. I risultati indicano che la problematica percepita dai residenti come piu rilevante per la qualita della vita e quella relativa al degrado e all’insieme dei cosiddetti segni di incivilta (sporcizia, urina, vandalismo, cocci di vetro) legati alla presenza di grandi quantita di persone la notte. Il rumore notturno, molto sentito in aree circoscritte, appare piu tollerabile in quanto, a differenza dei primi, non impatta anche sulla vita diurna dei residenti. La ricerca-intervento presentata rappresenta una fase preliminare alla pianificazione partecipata di interventi di promozione della salute e della qualita della vita di abitanti e giovani frequentatori in quanto, oltre ad avere identificato gli attori sociali rilevanti del territorio, li ha anche attivati verso una maggiore appropriazione del tema.