The Frequency and Predictive Factors of Change in Alcohol Consumption during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from a Multi-Country Longitudinal Study

Authors

• Carolien Verhei, Erasmus University of Rotterdam
• Nadja Alexandrov, Erasmus University of Rotterdam
• Erica I. Lubetkin, CUNY School of MedicineFollow
• Gouke J. Bonsel, EuroQol Research Foundation
• John N. Yfantopoulos, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
• Mathieu F. Janssen, Erasmus University of Rotterdam
• Stephanie C.E. Schuit, Erasmus University of Rotterdam
• Suzanne Polinder, Erasmus University of Rotterdam
• Pleunie P.M. Rood, Erasmus University of Rotterdam
• Juanita A. Haagsma, Erasmus University of Rotterdam

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2024

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had multiple health and behavioral effects in the general population worldwide, including effects on nutritional and lifestyle behavior such as alcohol consumption. This study aimed to determine the frequency of and predictors for change in alcohol consumption two years after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic among participants from the general population of six countries. Methods: Longitudinal study design with 4999 participants (47% male; aged 18–75 years) from a general population cohort from six countries: Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (US). Measurements: Three web-based surveys at different time waves: T1 = 22 April–1 June 2020; T2 = 2 May–29 June 2021 and T3 = 29 April–25 June 2022. The surveys included questions on self-reported retrospective alcohol consumption, demographics, health, anxiety and depression symptoms and recent life events. Results: Of 4999 respondents, most (82.3%) reported no change in drinking habits during the pandemic, whereas 12.5% reported drinking less and 5.1% drinking more. Predictive factors for increased alcohol consumption include age 35–54 years, male gender, high educational level, moderate-severe depression symptoms, excessive drinking before the COVID-19 pandemic, no change in general health status and job loss. Predictive factors for decreased alcohol consumption were age 18–34 years, male gender, having chronic disease(s), moderate-severe depression symptoms, excessive drinking before the pandemic and job loss. Conclusion: The proportion of participants who reported a decrease in alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic was higher compared to those who reported an increase. Excessive drinking before the pandemic, depression symptoms and job loss were predictors for both drinking more and drinking less alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic with an stronger association for an increase in alcohol consumption.

Comments

This article was originally published in Nutrients, available at https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16162591 

Recommended Citation

Verhei, Carolien; Alexandrov, Nadja; Lubetkin, Erica I.; Bonsel, Gouke J.; Yfantopoulos, John N.; Janssen, Mathieu F.; Schuit, Stephanie C.E.; Polinder, Suzanne; Rood, Pleunie P.M.; and Haagsma, Juanita A., "The Frequency and Predictive Factors of Change in Alcohol Consumption during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from a Multi-Country Longitudinal Study" (2024). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cm_pubs/12