Daily Stress and Alcohol Consumption: Modeling Between-Person and Within-Person Ethnic Variation in Coping Behavior

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Objective: Using a daily diary approach, the current study evaluated the relationship between coping and alcohol consumption using a large, multiethnic sample. The primary goals of this study were to (a) identify coping strategies that are either protective or risk factors for alcohol consumption and (b) model between-ethnic and within-ethnic group variation for these relations. Method: College students (N = 365, 69.0% female) were recruited via fl yers, course/club presentations, and university seminars. Participants completed Internet-based daily diaries over the course of 5 days and reported specifi cally on a target stressful event, how they coped with the stressful event, and the amount of alcohol consumed on a daily level. Results: Use of more avoidance-oriented coping strategies (minimization of stressor, emotional rumination) and social support were signifi cantly associated with more alcohol consumption. Ethnicity, however, did moderate some coping-alcohol associations. Use of religious coping was associated with less alcohol consumption and minimization of the stressor was associated with more alcohol consumption in African Americans; use of social support was associated with more alcohol consumption in Asian Americans; and use of problem-focused coping was associated with less alcohol consumption in Whites. Conclusions: Three maladaptive or risky coping strategies with respect to alcohol consumption were identifi ed using an ecologically valid methodology. However, ethnic-specifi c variation of these risky (and protective) coping factors was identifi ed. The fi ndings highlight the importance of considering both between-ethnic and within-ethnic group variation with respect to the stress/coping and alcohol consumption. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 72, 125-134, 2011)

Factor Analysis of Coping Strategies among Subjects of Alcohol Dependence Syndrome: A Study at Tertiary Care Center

“…Hussong [27] found that problem solving coping buffered against risk for heavy drinking related to both school related stress and social adjustment difficulties. Aldridge-Gerry et al [28] also found that problem-focused coping protected against the negative effects of stress on drinking behavior. Additional studies support problem focused coping as a protective factor against alcohol-related problems among both adolescents and young adults [29].…”

Young people in drug treatment in Ireland: their views on substance use aetiology, trajectory, parents’ role in substance use and coping skills

“…Wills and Hirky's (1996) stress coping model postulates that substances are used as a coping strategy to regulate negative affects arising from life stresses. Support for the coping model of substance use is evident (Aldridge-Gerry et al 2011;McConnell et al 2014). Studies have consistently found drinking alcohol as a method of coping with life stresses and avoidant coping are related to higher levels of substance use among students (Catanzaro & Laurent, 2004;Aldridge-Gerry et al 2011).…”

“…Support for the coping model of substance use is evident (Aldridge-Gerry et al 2011;McConnell et al 2014). Studies have consistently found drinking alcohol as a method of coping with life stresses and avoidant coping are related to higher levels of substance use among students (Catanzaro & Laurent, 2004;Aldridge-Gerry et al 2011). However, neither the model nor relevant research clearly delineates whether the maladaptive coping style motivates initial substance use or whether it develops as substance use progresses.…”

Padrões de consumo de álcool em estudantes da Universidade de Aveiro: relação com comportamentos de risco e stress

“…De facto, um dos motivos comumente associados a episódios de ingestão excessiva de álcool diz respeito ao stress sentido pelos consumidores no seu dia-a-dia ou em situações vividas num passado recente. Na literatura podemos verificar que o consumo de álcool está relacionado com a perceção de stress que os indivíduos têm diariamente; os estudos salientam este aspeto quer na comunidade em geral (e.g., Aldridge-Gerry et al, 2011), quer na comunidade académica (Armeli, Conner, Cullum, & Tennen, 2010). O consumo de álcool nestas situações funciona habitualmente como uma estratégia de coping, i.e., perante o stress, o consumidor bebe com o objetivo de fuga/alheamento dos problemas e das emoções negativas (Sher & Rutledge, 2007;Vaughan, Corbin, & Fromme, 2009).…”