Increased alcohol use to cope with COVID-19-related anxiety one year into the coronavirus pandemic

Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs

卷:40

Research reports

Isabelle C. Baltariu² 

[1] Department of Psychology, , Groningen, the Netherlands

[2] Department of Psychology, , Iasi, Romania

关键词: alcohol consumption;    anxiety;    coping;    coronavirus;    COVID-19;    drinking motives;   

DOI  :  10.1177/14550725221147111

 received in 2022-02-02, accepted in 2022-12-08,  发布年份 2023

来源: Sage Journals

【 摘 要 】

Background: An increase in drinking to cope with anxiety provoked by the coronavirus was observed during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: In the present study, we examined the role of drinking motives in the anxiety–alcohol link one year into the pandemic. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, we collected data between April and May 2021: 678 participants located in Romania or the Netherlands completed an online survey on alcohol consumption in the past month (assessed using a simple quantity-frequency measure), change in drinking during the past year (assessed using a single item asking whether there had been an increase, decrease or no change), drinking motives (assessed using the Revised Drinking Motives Questionnaire), drinking-related problems (assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test), and COVID-19-related anxiety (assessed using the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale). Results: Compared to before the pandemic, while 42% of participants had decreased their alcohol consumption, 15% reported an increase. Participants with clinically relevant COVID-19-related anxiety (11%) were more likely to drink to cope with negative affect, enhance positive affect, and conform to others. The association between COVID-19-related anxiety and drinking-related problems was specifically moderated by drinking to cope, such that the anxiety–alcohol link was stronger in participants who endorsed this drinking motive more. Conclusion: Drinking is a maladaptive coping strategy for individuals with high levels of COVID-19-related anxiety. These individuals might benefit from interventions involving the learning of healthier skills to deal with the ongoing pandemic.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC   
© The Author(s) 2023

【 图 表 】

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