The Influence of Sociodemographic Factors on Symptoms of Anxiety, the Level of Aggression and Alcohol Consumption in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Polish Respondents

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health of most of the world’s population. The authors of this study decided to identify differences in the intensity of anxiety, aggression and alcohol consumption within the study population. The study was conducted via an Internet survey. It uses Polish adaptations of international scales to assess anxiety (GAD-7), aggression (Buss and Perry Aggression Scale) and alcohol consumption (AUDIT test). A total of 538 people were examined. The surveyed group of respondents does not reflect the structure of Polish society. The group of surveyed women scored higher than men in terms of anxiety, as well as anger and hostility. The examined men were characterized by higher results of alcohol consumption and physical aggression. People between 18 and 49 years of age consumed significantly more alcohol than people aged 50 and over. People aged 18–29 obtained statistically significantly higher scores in generalized aggression and hostility. The relationships between the studied parameters do not differ significantly from those presented in other studies. People under the age of 50 are the group most exposed to the harmful effects of alcohol. Women between the ages of 30 and 49 are most vulnerable to the negative mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a need for further research studies in which the studied group will obtain a greater degree of compliance with the structure of Polish society.

How COVID-19 pandemic period influences on the selected mental health parameters of Polish respondents?

“…In the comparative analysis of alcohol consumption levels, it is noteworthy that more male respondents consume larger amounts of alcohol statistically. This fact is not surprising, as it fits the characteristics of the alcohol consumption pattern ( Manwell et al, 2002 ) that is present in Poland and coincides with the reports of a study conducted at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic ( Florek et al, 2022 ).…”

“…With reference to the project carried out at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland, it can be concluded that these differences remained essentially unchanged (Florek et al, 2022). In terms of physical and verbal aggression they have strengthened, while in terms of anger they have weakened.…”

“…Furthermore, those with a secondary education had significantly higher levels of generalized aggression, physical aggression, verbal aggression and hostility and non-significantly anger compared to those with a higher education. With reference to the project carried out at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland, it can be concluded that these differences remained essentially unchanged ( Florek et al, 2022 ). In terms of physical and verbal aggression they have strengthened, while in terms of anger they have weakened.…”

Osteonecrosis Related to Steroid and Alcohol Use—An Update on Pathogenesis

“…Prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, one in five Europeans was addicted to alcohol, with the prevalence ranging from 0,1 to 6.6% [ 13 , 14 ]. Studies conducted during the pandemic demonstrated an increased frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption in many European countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. The consequences of abuse for public health will take an even greater toll in the upcoming years.…”

“…Corticosteroids and alcohol use are the major risk factors for bone necrosis. When put together, both of them are the causative factors found in up to 80% of cases of ON [ 17 ]. For both agents, the risk is time- and dose-dependent [ 19 , 40 , 51 , 54 , 55 ].…”