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The Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Alcohol Abuse and Drunkorexia Behaviors in Young Adults

Author

Listed:
  • Daniele Di Tata

    (Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Dora Bianchi

    (Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Sara Pompili

    (Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Fiorenzo Laghi

    (Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak negatively affected young adults’ psychological well-being, increasing their stress levels and symptoms of anxiety and depression, and potentially triggering health-risk behaviors. The present study was aimed at investigating the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on alcohol abuse and drunkorexia behaviors among young adults living in Italy. Participants were 370 emerging adults (63% women, 37% men; M age = 21.00, SD age = 2.96, range: 18–30) who were recruited through an online survey between November 2021 and March 2022. Participants completed measures of alcohol abuse, drunkorexia behaviors, negative life experiences, and post-traumatic symptoms related to the COVID-19 outbreak. The results showed that the emotional impact and negative life experiences associated with the pandemic predicted both alcohol abuse and drunkorexia behaviors, albeit in different ways. Specifically, the number of negative life experiences during the pandemic and the tendency to avoid COVID-19–related negative thoughts positively predicted alcohol abuse; and the presence of intrusive thoughts associated with the pandemic significantly predicted the frequency of drunkorexia behaviors. Implications for research and clinical practice are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniele Di Tata & Dora Bianchi & Sara Pompili & Fiorenzo Laghi, 2023. "The Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Alcohol Abuse and Drunkorexia Behaviors in Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3466-:d:1070210
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alessandro Germani & Livia Buratta & Elisa Delvecchio & Claudia Mazzeschi, 2020. "Emerging Adults and COVID-19: The Role of Individualism-Collectivism on Perceived Risks and Psychological Maladjustment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-15, May.
    2. Vanessa Azzi & Souheil Hallit & Diana Malaeb & Sahar Obeid & Anna Brytek-Matera, 2021. "Drunkorexia and Emotion Regulation and Emotion Regulation Difficulties: The Mediating Effect of Disordered Eating Attitudes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-20, March.
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    1. Federica Pinna & Federico Suprani & Pasquale Paribello & Paola Milia & Lucia Sanna & Mirko Manchia & Graziella Boi & Annadele Pes & Lorena Lai & Valeria Deiana & Silvia Lostia di Santa Sofia & Laura P, 2024. "Food and Alcohol Disturbance in High School Adolescents: Prevalence, Characteristics and Association with Problem Drinking and Eating Disorders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-15, January.

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