Alcohol Use and Mental Health Symptoms in Nurses during the Early Months of COVID-19

Abstract

Objective

The current study examined associations of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], depression, and generalized anxiety disorder [GAD] with alcohol consumption and drinking to cope in a sample of 310 nurses during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

Using a cross-sectional design, nurses completed online surveys.

Results

Over 50% of the sample reported alcohol misuse and 12.2% reported drinking to cope. Further, 38.7% reported elevated symptoms of PTSD, 29.7% moderate-to-high symptoms of depression, and 56.8% elevated symptoms of GAD symptoms. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine how mental health symptoms were associated with alcohol outcomes, controlling for age, gender pronouns, education, and race. No significant predictors emerged for alcohol consumption. Significant associations of symptoms of PTSD and depression were found for drinking to cope, such that higher levels of mental health symptoms were associated with greater endorsement of drinking to cope.

Conclusion

Results are discussed in light of increasing prevention and support services for nurses.

Keywords:

• COVID-19
• alcohol use
• nursing
• PTSD
• depression
• anxiety

Acknowledgements

We thank Charlene Verga and the Massachusetts Nurses Association for facilitating data collection; their enthusiastic support made this research possible.

Disclosure statement

We have no known conflicts of interest to disclose. The conduct of the study followed ethical guidelines. Data collection was reviewed and approved by the IRB at Boston University; protocol #5614E. All participants provided informed consent.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

Partial funding for this work was provided by the Center for Anxiety & Related Disorders, Boston University. Dr. Beck’s effort was partially funded by the Lillian and Morrie Moss Chair of Excellence, University of Memphis.