Anxiety, Depression, Coping, Alcohol Use and Consequences in Young Adult College Students

Abstract

Background

Young adult college students experience a high risk for heavy alcohol use and resulting consequences. Symptoms of anxiety and depression increase this risk. Coping style has been associated with alcohol use and consequences, with approach coping being inversely related to use and consequences, and avoidance coping being directing related to use and consequences. The purpose of this study is to examine whether coping style moderates or mediates the relationship between anxiety/depression and alcohol use and consequences.

Methods

250 young adult college students ages 18 to 25 years (Women = 85, 34%) anonymously self-reported anxiety, depression, coping style, alcohol use and consequences.

Results

Path analysis showed that avoidance coping was positively related to alcohol use (β = 0.33, p < 0.05), social consequences (β = 0.39, p < 0.05), and personal consequences (β = 0.26, p < 0.05), while approach coping was inversely related to use (β = −0.20, p = 0.005). Coping did not moderate the relationship between anxiety and depression and alcohol use or consequences. Avoidance coping mediated the relationship between depression and alcohol use (β = 0.14, p < 0.05), social consequences (β = 0.16, p < 0.05), and personal consequences (β = 0.11, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Findings build on alcohol use and consequences research, and support further research into implementing coping-based alcohol use interventions. Interventions aimed at reducing avoidance coping and increasing approach coping may be beneficial for young adult college students.

Keywords:

• College students
• coping
• anxiety
• depression
• alcohol use

Declaration of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the University of Miami Provost’s Research Award. Support for this research was also received from the Center of Excellence for Health Disparities Research: El Centro, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities grant U54MD002266 (Victoria B. Mitrani, Principal Investigator) and The University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies.