Drinking to Cope in the COVID-19 Era: An Investigation Among College Students

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in abrupt, drastic changes to daily life many nations. Experiences within the United States have varied widely. In State of Oregon early months protective protocols (e.g., social distancing) were comparatively high, resulting concern for increases loneliness and COVID-related stress. present study college students examined indirect relationship other stressors alcohol use, via drinking-to-cope motives. Method: A sample traditional- nontraditional-aged (N = 215; 68.1% female; mean age 24.8 years) completed an online survey assessing experiences during shelter-in-place orders over a 5-week period April May 2020. Results: Cross-sectional structural equational modeling revealed that news consumption associated with stronger coping motives, whereas rated seriousness was related weaker Coping turn, more frequent past-30-day consumption; significant effects all three predictors on drinking frequency heavy frequency, Drinking-to-cope motives also greater marijuana use. Conclusions: These findings provide insight into how repercussions relate use motivations while sheltering place. results implications substance coping-motivated can be mitigated crisis.