Method of measuring situational and motivational factors of alcohol behavior

RESEARCH AREA: PSYCHOLOGY

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CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS OF THE UCM

The goal of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) is to reduce morbidity and strengthen the prevention of addictive behavior. Psychometrically validated measurement of situational and motivational factors in adolescents aged 14–17 allows for the early identification of the risk of problematic alcohol use and the targeting of school and clinical interventions. At UCM, the research team has developed a diagnostic tool adapted to the Slovak environment and materials for preventive programs. At the same time, it fulfills SDG 4 (Quality Education) through prevention in schools and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through partnerships thanks to international validation and sharing of methodologies, including extension to nicotine-related behavior.

Social demand	Risky alcohol consumption among adolescents is a serious problem affecting not only the health of young people, but also society as a whole. Early identification and targeted prevention are essential to reduce the negative consequences of this behavior. How can we effectively measure the motivational and situational factors that lead to problematic alcohol use among students aged 14 to 17.
UCM solution	UCM research has made it possible to identify risky behavior and provided a basis for targeted preventive interventions in both school and clinical settings. The measurement of situational and motivational factors of alcohol behavior is a psychometrically validated diagnostic tool developed specifically for Slovak adolescents.
Social impact of the UCM solution	Early detection of problematic alcohol use has significant social and health benefits – it contributes to improving the mental health of young people and helps prevent long-term negative consequences. The findings also opened up the possibility of identifying similar patterns of behavior in nicotine use, which led to the creation of an effective tool that is also used abroad.
Partnerships	The project was created as part of the VEGA 1/0203/20 scientific grant. Close cooperation between psychologists from the school and clinical sectors, researchers, and educational institutions in Slovakia and abroad supported the dissemination of innovative methods in the field of prevention and mental health.
Contact	Mgr. Zuzana Rojková, PhD. (zuzana.rojkova@ucm.sk) Faculty of Philosophy Univerzita sv. Cyrila a Metoda v Trnave Nám. Jozefa Herdu 2 917 01 Trnava