When compared to other populations college students are at a higher risk of developing problematic drinking. The college environment and related social settings are thought to play a role in this risk. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic many changes occurred to college campuses and these social environments which may have impacted drinking behavior. Previous studies have found mixed results on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on alcohol consumption. This study examines the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms and status among college students.
The study’s sample consisted of 11,881 college students who were participating in a large, ongoing longitudinal study at a mid-Atlantic public university. Data was collected three times prior to and one time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed a survey that assessed the presence of AUD symptom, alcohol consumption during the past month, and past-month depressive and anxiety symptoms. During the COVID-19 pandemic survey participants were also assessed for PTSD symptoms and for five correlated factors of the COVID-19 impact: exposure, worry, housing/food instability, social media use, and substance use. Data was analyzed using a mixed-effects regression model and logistic regression analysis.
Results of the data analysis showed that 41.1% of participants met AUD criteria the year prior to and 33.3% met AUD criteria during the COVID-19 pandemic survey. Around 46.8% of participants who met AUD criteria in the year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic had diminished symptoms at the during COVID-19 pandemic survey. Persistent AUD status was associated with greater concurrent symptoms of alcohol consumption, PTSD symptoms, and depression symptoms. However, the relationship between persistent AUD status and depression did not remain significant after multiple testing corrections. Only one COVID-19 impact factor (increases in substance use) was associated with persistent AUD status. Higher levels of prior alcohol consumption and sensation seeking were associated with persistent AUD status.
Takeaway: Persistent AUD status among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with greater concurrent symptoms of alcohol consumption, PTSD symptoms, and depression symptoms.