https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6617-1625
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ABSTRACT
Objective
To estimate the extent to which drinking to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and experiencing pandemic-related life stressors are associated with alcohol use escalation among young adults.
Methods
Respondents in Los Angeles, CA, USA (N = 2,130) completed prospective cohort study surveys before (baseline; October 2018–November 2019; mean age: 19.7[SD = 0.4]) and during (follow-up; May–August 2020) the COVID-19 outbreak. Past 30-day drinking days and number of drinks per drinking day were assessed from baseline to follow-up. At follow-up, participants reported drinking to cope with social isolation and pandemic-related stressors.
Results
Pandemic-related stressor prevalence ranged from 5.5% (evicted/lost home) to 72.6% (worried about education) and 27.1% drank to cope with social isolation during the pandemic. Respondents who did (vs. did not) report pandemic-related coping drinking were more likely to increase past 30-day drinking days and drinks per drinking day from baseline to follow-up after adjustment for possible confounders. Employment loss/reduction, financial problems, and perceived likelihood of contracting COVID-19 or handling the pandemic poorly were each associated with increases in drinking days or drinks per drinking day.
Conclusions
Experiencing certain life stressors and drinking to cope with social isolation may be associated with drinking escalation among young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Author contributions
JC was principal investigator responsible for study conception and conducted the analyses. JC, SS, and AML led the conceptualization of the study and wrote most of the manuscript text. AK drafted the methods section and prepared file for submission. JBL and AML obtained funding for the parent study and directed data collection. JBU, JLB, and EAV aided in study conceptualization and provided feedback on drafts. JC oversaw data management and processing. All authors approved the manuscript.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Access to data and data analysis
JC had full access to all the data in the study and took responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.
Role of funder
The funding agency had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.
Supplementary data
Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/14659891.2023.2183909.