Dataset Information

Changes in alcohol use as a function of psychological distress and social support following COVID-19 related University closings.

ABSTRACT: Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, universities across the country abruptly closed campuses and transitioned to remote learning. The effects of these unprecedented closures are unknown. The current study examined reported alcohol consumption during the week prior to and after campus closure at a public university in Northeast Ohio. Analysis of data from 1,958 students, who endorsed using alcohol in the past 30 days, demonstrates that alcohol consumption (amount and frequency) increased as time progressed. Those with more symptoms of depression and anxiety reported greater increases in alcohol consumption (assessed via retrospective timeline follow-back) compared to students with fewer symptoms. Furthermore, students with greater perceived social support reported less alcohol consumption. Together, these findings highlight the need for universities to offer services and programs to students that will minimize risk factors and maximize protective factors in order to reduce or prevent alcohol abuse during the coronavirus pandemic.

SUBMITTER: Lechner WV

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7319610 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Changes in alcohol use as a function of psychological distress and social support following COVID-19 related University closings.

Lechner William V WV Laurene Kimberly R KR Patel Sweta S Anderson Megan M Grega Chelsea C Kenne Deric R DR

Addictive behaviors 20200626

Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, universities across the country abruptly closed campuses and transitioned to remote learning. The effects of these unprecedented closures are unknown. The current study examined reported alcohol consumption during the week prior to and after campus closure at a public university in Northeast Ohio. Analysis of data from 1,958 students, who endorsed using alcohol in the past 30 days, demonstrates that alcohol consumption (amount and frequency) increased as time pro ...[more]

PMID: 32679435

Similar Datasets

Project description:AimThis study proposes investigating the risk and protective factors of intimate partner (IP) psychological violence and psychological distress to better promote psychological wellbeing for nurses and health outcomes for patients.DesignA cross-sectional study.MethodThis cross-sectional study was carried out chiefly in Guangdong, Hunan, and Shaanxi provinces, in the east, central, and west of the Chinese economic areas, respectively. It was conducted in October 2021 using convenience sampling. A total of 843 nurses were eligible for the final analysis. Single-factor linear regression models were used to identify potential factors associated with IP psychological violence and psychological distress. In addition, the structural equation model was used to explore the role of personality traits and social support in the association between IP psychological violence and psychological distress.ResultsThe predictors for the score of IP psychological violence among nurses were participants' married status, contact frequency with a partner, perceived past-year psychological and physical violence experience, the alcohol consumption of partners, and personality traits and social support of partners. Moreover, the alcohol consumption of participants, the past-year experience of IP psychological violence, the score of psychological violence, personality traits, social support, and the personality traits of partners were associated factors affecting the psychological distress of nurses. In the structural model, the personality trait of partners had a direct pathway to psychological violence and social support. The results demonstrated that psychological violence significantly increased psychological distress.ConclusionPersonality traits and social support are essential factors influencing the relationship between IP psychological violence and psychological distress.ImpactThe findings of this study emphasize the possibility and importance of identification and intervention for reducing IP psychological violence based on personality traits and social support.

Project description:AimsThe social environment strongly influences individual mental health. Individuals with strong social support systems tend to experience higher levels of well-being, lower levels of psychological distress and exhibit fewer psychiatric symptoms. However, there is a significant degree of individual variability as to the extent to which social support is beneficial to overall mental health. From a neurobiological perspective, it is suggested that the social hormone, oxytocin, may moderate the favorable effects of social interaction. To explore this possibility, we evaluated oxytocin genotype, social support and psychological health in a group of individuals diagnosed with DSM-IV alcohol dependence.MethodsThe associations between OXT genotype, social support and psychological health were analyzed in data from 269 adults diagnosed with DSM-IV alcohol dependence (25% female) admitted into residential treatment programs and outpatient centers in Warsaw, Poland.ResultsIn line with past observations, we noted that psychiatric distress scores were negatively correlated with social support. Extending these observations, we uncovered a significant moderating effect of OXT genotype (rs2740210) on the relationship between social support and psychiatric distress. While G carriers displayed the predicted negative relationship between social support and psychiatric distress, T homozygotes failed to exhibit such a relationship.ConclusionGenetically driven variation in oxytocin system functioning may influence the degree to which the beneficial effects of social support are felt in this population. These results have direct clinical relevance as enhancing social engagement to improve mental health may prove to be a less effective strategy in some patients owing to intrinsic factors.Short summaryThe associations between oxytocin genotype, social support, and psychological health were analyzed in data from 269 adults diagnosed with DSM-IV alcohol dependence. A significant moderating effect of OXT genotype (rs2740210) on the relationship between social support and psychiatric distress was detected.

Project description:BackgroundPeople who use drugs are at a disproportionately higher risk of mental disorders due to prolonged exposure to psychosocial challenges. However, studies on mental health among people who use drugs in resource-constrained countries are scarce. This study sheds light on the prevalence and correlates of psychological distress among people who use drugs in Cambodia.MethodsWe conducted this cross-sectional study in the capital city and 11 provinces in 2017. The Respondent Driven Sampling method was adapted to recruit 1677 people who used drugs for face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Psychological distress was measured using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). A total score of GHQ-12 > 2 indicated high psychological distress. We performed a multiple logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with psychological distress.ResultsWe included 1598 participants in the analyses, with a mean age of 28.6 years (SD = 7.8). Of the total, 42% had high psychological distress - 50% in women and 37% in men. The adjusted odds of having high psychological distress were significantly higher among participants who were 25-34 years old and 35 years and above, had been to a drug rehabilitation center, had been insulted by family members, and had been sexually harassed/abused by someone when they were growing up. The odds of having high psychological distress were significantly lower among participants who were male, lived in their own dwelling, reported injecting as the mode of the first drug use, and had someone taking care of them when they got sick.ConclusionsThis study documents a high prevalence of psychological distress among people who use drugs in Cambodia. Intervention programs that attempt to address mental health problems among people who use drugs in resource-limited settings should be gender- and age-sensitive and target more marginalized subpopulations. Mental health services can be integrated into HIV and harm-reduction programs for people who use drugs.

Dataset Information

Changes in alcohol use as a function of psychological distress and social support following COVID-19 related University closings.

Publications

Changes in alcohol use as a function of psychological distress and social support following COVID-19 related University closings.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets