Alcohol use increases significantly as people reach young adulthood, especially among those who choose to attend college. College students are more likely to engage in high-risk drinking behaviors and are at an increased risk of experiencing alcohol related consequences in comparison to people of the same age who do not attend college. Previous research has also shown that racial and ethnic minorities consume less alcohol but are more likely to experience alcohol-related consequences like alcohol use disorder (AUD). There are many factors that can impact alcohol consumption behavior. One factor that may increase a person’s risk of AUD is depression or depressive symptoms. Drinking to cope may also be a potential motive for alcohol consumption and could lead to greater use of alcohol and risk of alcohol-related consequences. This study examines the potential relationship between depressive symptoms and drinking to cope on alcohol consumption outcomes in White and Black/African American college students.
The study’s sample consisted of 2,168 first-year college students who completed an online survey indicating that they had used alcohol and identified as White or Black/African American. A follow-up survey was conducting in the following semester and 1,401 students participated. Students were asked to report their age, sex, race/ethnicity, and parental education levels. Alcohol consumption was assessed using The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and alcohol use disorder symptoms were also evaluated. Drinking to cope was gauged using the Drinking Motives Questionnaire and depressive symptoms were identified using an abbreviated Symptom Checklist-90. Data was analyzed using independent sample t-tests and a Wald chi-square difference test to assess for potential relationships between variables.
Results of the data analysis showed that White students had higher mean levels of alcohol consumption, depressive symptoms, drinking to cope, and AUD symptoms in comparison to Black/African American students. Depressive symptoms were associated with higher rates of drinking to cope and AUD symptoms for both White and Black/African American participants. However, the relationship between drinking to cope and depressive symptoms was stronger for White participants. Black/African American participants reported lower rates of depressive symptoms and drinking to cope which was associated with lower rates of alcohol consumption.
Takeaway: Depressive symptoms and drinking to cope may provide predictive value when assessing risk of alcohol-related consequences in White and Black/African American college students.