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The Association between Mental Wellbeing, Levels of Harmful Drinking, and Drinking Motivations: A Cross-Sectional Study of the UK Adult Population

Author

Listed:
  • Anita Appleton

    (Research and Impact Team, Drinkaware, London EC2M 5QQ, UK)

  • Rosie James

    (Research and Impact Team, Drinkaware, London EC2M 5QQ, UK)

  • John Larsen

    (Research and Impact Team, Drinkaware, London EC2M 5QQ, UK)

Abstract

Mental well-being and excessive alcohol consumption each represent a significant public health concern, and evidence suggests an association between them. Furthermore, drinking motivations associated with harmful drinking have been studied, but not systematically in the UK population. A representative sample of 6174 UK adults aged 18–75 were surveyed online. Low risk drinkers were found to have higher mental well-being than hazardous, harmful, and, probable, dependence drinkers. Using a hierarchical multiple regression analysis, it was found that just over 5% of the variance in well-being scores was accounted for by the level of harmful drinking and drinking motivation; the most significant contribution was drinking to cope. Among people drinking to cope, those drinking in more harmful ways were statistically significantly more likely to have low well-being compared to less harmful drinkers. In the UK adult population there is a clear association between poor mental well-being and harmful drinking. Furthermore, coping was a significant motivation to drink for many with low mental well-being. While mental well-being was found to be directly linked with levels of harmful drinking, the motivation for drinking was a stronger predictor of mental well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Anita Appleton & Rosie James & John Larsen, 2018. "The Association between Mental Wellbeing, Levels of Harmful Drinking, and Drinking Motivations: A Cross-Sectional Study of the UK Adult Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-10, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:7:p:1333-:d:154332
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eric Lente & Margaret Barry & Michal Molcho & Karen Morgan & Dorothy Watson & Janas Harrington & Hannah McGee, 2012. "Measuring population mental health and social well-being," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 57(2), pages 421-430, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tonje Holte Stea & Herolinda Shatri & Siri Håvås Haugland & Annette Løvheim Kleppang, 2022. "Association between Self-Reported Childhood Difficulties and Obesity and Health-Related Behaviors in Adulthood—A Cross-Sectional Study among 28,047 Adults from the General Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-13, January.

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