Changes in Substance Use and Mental Health Burden among Women during the Second Wave of COVID-19 in Germany

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Eva-Maria Skoda¹  Madeleine Fink¹  Sheila Moradian¹  Adam Schweda¹  Hannah Dinse¹  Martin Teufel¹  Alexander Bäuerle¹  Benjamin Maurice Weismüller¹  Venja Musche¹  Henrike Schecke²  Norbert Scherbaum² 

[1] Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LVR University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstrasse 174, D-45147 Essen, Germany;Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Medical Faculty, LVR-Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstrasse 174, D-45147 Essen, Germany;

关键词: COVID-19;    substance use;    alcohol;    cannabis;    mental health;    depression;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph18189728

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Unlike men, who are disproportionately affected by severe disease progression and mortality from COVID-19, women may be more affected by the economic, social and psychological consequences of the pandemic. Psychological distress and mental health problems are general risk factors for increases in the use of alcohol and other substances as a dysfunctional coping mechanism. Methods: An analysis was carried out of the female subset (n = 2153) of a population-based, cross-sectional online survey (October–December 2020), covering the “second wave” of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Results: Among women, 23% increased their alcohol use, 28.4% increased their nicotine use and 44% increased their illicit substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty percent reported major depressive symptoms and 23.4% symptoms of generalized anxiety. Generalized anxiety proved to be a significant predictor of increases in alcohol and nicotine use in logistic regression. Discussion: The mental health burden remained high during the second wave of COVID-19 and alcohol, nicotine and other substance use increased. However, the association between mental health and substance use was weak. Psychological distress does not seem to be the main motivator of substance use.

【 授权许可】

Unknown