Increases in Risky Drinking During the COVID-19 Pandemic Assessed via Longitudinal Cohort Design: Associations With Racial Tensions, Financial Distress, Psychological Distress and Virus-Related Fears.
Alcohol Alcohol
; 56(6): 702-707, 2021 Oct 29.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33765131
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The COVID-19 pandemic has created disruptions to daily life resulting in wide-spread unemployment and psychological distress. Recent studies have reported high rates of alcohol use during this time; however, longitudinal data remain scarce and factors associated with increases in high-risk drinking observed over time are unknown.AIMS:
The current study examined changes in high-risk drinking patterns across four 7-day observation periods, prior to and following a university wide campus closure. Additionally, factors associated with changes in alcohol use patterns were examined including financial distress, psychological distress, impact of racial tensions and virus-related fears.METHOD:
Students (N = 1001) in the Midwestern USA completed repeated assessments between March and June 2020. Each survey included a timeline follow-back measure of alcohol use. Pandemic-related distress spanning several factors was assessed at the final follow-up.RESULTS:
Risky drinking patterns increased significantly over time. Overall, psychological distress and impact of racial tensions were associated with higher rates of risky drinking, whereas COVID-19-related fears were associated with lower rates. However, only financial-related distress was associated with an increase in risky drinking patterns over time.CONCLUSIONS:
Increased risky drinking patterns observed in the current study may signal problems that are likely to persist even after the direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily life ends. Individuals experiencing financial distress may represent a particularly high-risk group. Interventions targeting the cross-section of job loss, financial stress and problematic alcohol use will be important to identify.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Relações Raciais
/
Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas
/
Medo
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Angústia Psicológica
/
COVID-19
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
/
Health_economic_evaluation
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Alcohol Alcohol
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos