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. (26th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lechner, William V; Sidhu, Natasha K; Jin, Jackson T; Kittaneh, Ahmad A; Laurene, Kimberly R; Kenne, Deric R
• Is Part Of: Alcohol and alcoholism. Volume 56:Number 6(2021)
• Page Start: 702
• Page End: 707
• Publication Date: 2021-03-26
• Subjects: Alcoholism -- Periodicals; 616.861005
• DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agab019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0735-0414

Abstract

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. Abstract : Short Summary : Risky drinking increased significantly across the four 7-day observation periods. Psychological distress due to the pandemic and racial tensions were associated with higher rates of risky drinking overall, whereas COVID-19-related fears were associated with lower rates. Financial distress was associated with a significant increase in risky drinking over time.