1. COVID and college: how the pandemic impacted alcohol use disorder status among students.
- Author
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Sheerin, Christina M., Kuo, Sally I-Chun, Smith, Rebecca L., Bannard, Thomas, Gentry, Amanda Elswick, Vassileva, Jasmine, Dick, Danielle M., and Amstadter, Ananda B.
- Subjects
ALCOHOLISM risk factors ,RISK assessment ,POST-traumatic stress disorder ,HEALTH status indicators ,MENTAL health ,RISK-taking behavior ,RESEARCH funding ,QUESTIONNAIRES ,MENTAL illness ,CLASSIFICATION of mental disorders ,SURVEYS ,INTENTION ,HEALTH behavior ,ALCOHOL drinking in college ,PSYCHOLOGY of college students ,STUDENT attitudes ,ALCOHOLISM ,COVID-19 pandemic ,MENTAL depression ,SYMPTOMS - Abstract
Objective: Alcohol consumption patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic have varied notably. Participants: We examined the acute impact of the pandemic on alcohol use disorder (AUD) in a generalizable sample of college students who were surveyed pre-pandemic and re-surveyed in May 2020. Method: Items assessed pre-pandemic included DSM-5 AUD and mental health symptoms. A COVID-19 impacts questionnaire was administered, and alcohol and mental health items re-assessed. Results: AUD symptoms decreased from pre-pandemic to during the pandemic, demonstrating a change in trajectory compared to prior cohorts. Students with persistent AUD reported greater concurrent symptoms of PTSD, depression, and alcohol consumption than those with remitted AUD (ps ≤.02), but not increased COVID-19 impact. Persistent AUD status was predicted by higher sensation seeking and alcohol consumption. Conclusions: Students with concurrent mental health problems are at continued risk for persistent AUD. Findings highlight the impact of the college environment and social context for drinking on AUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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