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Effects of the COVID-19 Mitigation Measures on Alcohol Consumption and Binge Drinking in College Students: A Longitudinal Survey

Author

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  • Margarida Vasconcelos

    (Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory (PNL), Research Center in Psychology (CIPsi), School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal)

  • Alberto Crego

    (Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory (PNL), Research Center in Psychology (CIPsi), School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal)

  • Rui Rodrigues

    (Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory (PNL), Research Center in Psychology (CIPsi), School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal)

  • Natália Almeida-Antunes

    (Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory (PNL), Research Center in Psychology (CIPsi), School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal)

  • Eduardo López-Caneda

    (Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory (PNL), Research Center in Psychology (CIPsi), School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal)

Abstract

To “flatten the curve” of COVID-19 contagion, several countries ordered lockdowns amid the pandemic along with indications on social distancing. These social isolation measures could potentially bring alterations to healthy behavior, including to alcohol consumption. However, there is hardly any scientific evidence of the impact of such measures on alcohol consumption and binge drinking (BD) among young adults, and how they relate to alcohol craving, stress, anxiety, and depression levels. We addressed these questions by conducting a longitudinal study with 146 Portuguese college students—regular binge drinkers (regular BDs), infrequent binge drinkers (infrequent BDs) and non-binge drinkers (non-BDs)—in three moments: before the pandemic (Pre-Lockdown), during lockdown (Lockdown) and 6 months after (Post-Lockdown). Results revealed that regular BDs decreased alcohol use during Lockdown, a change in behavior that was even greater during Post-Lockdown, when regular BDs displayed similar levels of consumption to infrequent/non-BDs. Additionally, alcohol craving and living with friends were predictive of alcohol use during Lockdown, whereas stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms did not contribute to explain changes in drinking behavior. Collectively, the results suggest that BD in young Portuguese college students can be stopped when the contexts in which alcohol intake usually takes place are suppressed, which may have important implications for future prevention and intervention strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Margarida Vasconcelos & Alberto Crego & Rui Rodrigues & Natália Almeida-Antunes & Eduardo López-Caneda, 2021. "Effects of the COVID-19 Mitigation Measures on Alcohol Consumption and Binge Drinking in College Students: A Longitudinal Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9822-:d:638069
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Mateusz Babicki, 2022. "Use of Alcohol, Cannabinoids, Psychostimulants, and Sedatives before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Students in 40 European Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-9, November.
    4. Rubio, Milagros & van Hooijdonk, Kirsten & Luijten, Maartje & Kappe, Rutger & Cillessen, Antonius H.N. & Verhagen, Maaike & Vink, Jacqueline M., 2023. "University students’ (binge) drinking during COVID-19 lockdowns: An investigation of depression, social context, resilience, and changes in alcohol use," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 326(C).
    5. Xiaoyu Wang & Zaifei Ma & Chunan Wang, 2022. "A Longitudinal Study on the Addictive Behaviors of General Population before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-12, May.

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