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Pasqualoni S, Bai Y, Curl A, Rettew J, Kimball L, Devadanam V, Yousef H, Hudziak J, Copeland WE. The substance use behaviors change of first-year college students before and during COVID-19 pandemic. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2024:1-8. [PMID: 38227917 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2299419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This article tests the substance use behaviors of college students before and during COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS In-depth assessment and nightly survey data was used from a longitudinal study (n = 675) which examined student substance use during the 2019-2020 academic year, both before and during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes in beer/wine, tobacco, liquor, and marijuana use before versus during the pandemic, in addition to the interaction of COVID-19, were tested with gender and subjective social status. RESULTS Marijuana use significantly decreased from a weekly prevalence of 9.9% before COVID-19 to 6.4% during COVID-19 (p = 0.002). A similar decrease was seen in liquor use (10.6% before COVID to 6.4% during COVID, p = 0.01). There was no significant change observed for beer/wine use or for tobacco use. CONCLUSION In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, liquor, and marijuana use decreased for college students, while other substance use stayed the same.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yang Bai
- University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Azilee Curl
- University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
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Vergunst F, Berry HL, Minor K, Chadi N. Climate Change and Substance-Use Behaviors: A Risk-Pathways Framework. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2023; 18:936-954. [PMID: 36441663 PMCID: PMC10336608 DOI: 10.1177/17456916221132739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is undermining the mental and physical health of global populations, but the question of how it is affecting substance-use behaviors has not been systematically examined. In this narrative synthesis, we find that climate change could increase harmful substance use worldwide through at least five pathways: psychosocial stress arising from the destabilization of social, environmental, economic, and geopolitical support systems; increased rates of mental disorders; increased physical-health burden; incremental harmful changes to established behavior patterns; and worry about the dangers of unchecked climate change. These pathways could operate independently, additively, interactively, and cumulatively to increase substance-use vulnerability. Young people face disproportionate risks because of their high vulnerability to mental-health problems and substance-use disorders and greater number of life years ahead in which to be exposed to current and worsening climate change. We suggest that systems thinking and developmental life-course approaches provide practical frameworks for conceptualizing this relationship. Further conceptual, methodological, and empirical work is urgently needed to evaluate the nature and scope of this burden so that effective adaptive and preventive action can be taken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Vergunst
- Department of Special Needs Education, University of Oslo
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Montreal
- Ste-Justine University Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Helen L Berry
- Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University
| | - Kelton Minor
- Center for Social Data Science, University of Copenhagen
- Data Science Institute, Columbia University
| | - Nicholas Chadi
- Ste-Justine University Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal
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Perrone D, Fischer R, Florek J. COVID-19-Related Shifts in Polysubstance Use. Subst Use Misuse 2023; 58:1314-1323. [PMID: 37317983 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2023.2181034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Background: Big Events, such as economic crises and natural disasters, affect drug use patterns (e.g. Friedman & Rossi, 2015). The COVID-19 pandemic is a Big Event that led to lockdowns, travel restrictions, protocols on businesses, and rules for social engagements across the globe. Studies primarily in Europe and Oceania show that the pandemic impacted the type and amount of substances used (e.g. Winstock et al., 2020). Objectives: This study examines the impact of COVID-19 on substance use using a sample of 257 individuals across 36 states, who engage in polysubstance use. Results: The sample was recruited via DanceSafe, Inc.'s social media to complete an online survey (April-October 2020) about drug use during the pandemic. The mostly White, heterosexual sample used an average of seven different substances in the past 12 months. Slightly less than half reported increasing use since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with young adults and lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, or queer (LGBPQ) identifying individuals significantly more likely to do so. Relative to other substances, benzodiazepine use increased, and 3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and psychedelic use decreased, while alcohol use stayed the same. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected those who are young adults, LGBPQ, and use drugs. Their unique needs during the pandemic warrant attention. The swap from leisure (e.g. MDMA) to anti-anxiety (e.g. Xanax) drugs is not surprising. Yet, the rise in novel benzodiazepines (Laing et al., 2021) is a point of concern that suggests drug checking and educational efforts can best reduce potential risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Perrone
- School of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Emergency Management, California State University, Long Beach, California, USA
| | - Ryan Fischer
- School of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Emergency Management, California State University, Long Beach, California, USA
| | - Jianna Florek
- School of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Emergency Management, California State University, Long Beach, California, USA
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Bandara S, Maniates H, Hulsey E, Smith JS, DiDomenico E, Stuart EA, Saloner B, Krawczyk N. Opioid treatment program safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic: a statewide survey. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:418. [PMID: 35354460 PMCID: PMC8965537 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07832-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Opioid treatment programs (OTPs) serve as daily essential services for people with opioid use disorder. This study seeks to identify modifications to operations and adoption of safety measures at Pennsylvania OTPs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A 25-min online survey to clinical and administrative directors at all 103 state-licensed OTPs in Pennsylvania was fielded from September to November 2020. Survey domains included: 1) changes to services, client volume, hours and staffing during the COVID-19 pandemic 2) types of services modifications 3) safety protocols to reduce COVID-19 transmission 4) challenges to operations during the pandemic. Results Forty-seven directors responded, for a response rate of 45%. Almost all respondents reported making some service modification (96%, n = 43). Almost half (47%, n = 21) of respondents reported reductions in the number of clients served. OTPs were more likely to adopt safety protocols that did not require significant funding, such as limiting the number of people entering the site (100%, n = 44), posting COVID-safety information (100%, n = 44), enforcing social distancing (98%, n = 43), and increasing sanitation (100%, n = 44). Only 34% (n = 14) of OTPS provided N95 masks to most or all staff. Respondents reported that staff’s stress and negative mental health (86%, n = 38) and staff caregiving responsibilities (84%, n = 37) during the pandemic were challenges to maintaining OTP operations. Conclusion OTPs faced numerous challenges to operations and adoption of safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding mechanisms and interventions to improve adoption of safety protocols, staff mental health as well as research on patient experiences and preferences can inform further OTP adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic and future emergency planning. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-07832-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachini Bandara
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Hannah Maniates
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Eric Hulsey
- Vital Strategies, 100 Broadway 4th Floor, New York, NY, 10005, USA
| | - Jennifer S Smith
- Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Harrisburg, PA, 17110, USA
| | - Ellen DiDomenico
- Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Harrisburg, PA, 17110, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Stuart
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Noa Krawczyk
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
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Chen S, Bagrodia R, Pfeffer CC, Meli L, Bonanno GA. Anxiety and resilience in the face of natural disasters associated with climate change: A review and methodological critique. J Anxiety Disord 2020; 76:102297. [PMID: 32957002 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2020.102297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In the past two decades, climate change-related natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts have become increasingly frequent and severe, impacting the emotional and psychological well-being of those who are directly or indirectly exposed to them. Despite great interest in understanding differences in anxiety and resilience in response to natural disasters, enthusiasm appears to outstrip empirical clarity, as there remains considerable ambiguity as to determinants of resilient or pathological outcomes following exposure to natural disasters. In addition, there are several major methodological limitations in climate change and related natural disaster research, including the use of univariate analyses, cross-sectional design, and retrospective measures. Keeping these limitations in mind, we first review literature examining the mental health outcomes of natural disasters. Findings suggest that, overall, resilience is more common than pathological outcomes. Second, we use a multi-dimensional framework of resilience to selectively review factors at the event, individual, as well as family and community levels that could help inform resilient or pathological outcomes. Finally, we consider key limitations and future directions for research and practice in the field of anxiety and resilience in response to climate disasters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuquan Chen
- Department of Clinical and Counseling Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, United States.
| | - Rohini Bagrodia
- Department of Clinical and Counseling Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, United States
| | - Charlotte C Pfeffer
- Department of Clinical and Counseling Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, United States
| | - Laura Meli
- Department of Clinical and Counseling Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, United States
| | - George A Bonanno
- Department of Clinical and Counseling Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, United States.
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Avery AR, Tsang S, Seto EYW, Duncan GE. Stress, Anxiety, and Change in Alcohol Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings Among Adult Twin Pairs. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:571084. [PMID: 33088277 PMCID: PMC7544945 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.571084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted the lives of people worldwide since being declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Social restrictions aimed at flattening the curve may be associated with an increase in stress and anxiety, which may increase the use of alcohol as a coping mechanism. The objective of this study was to examine if stress and anxiety were associated with changes in alcohol use in a sample of adult twins. Twins allowed us to control for genetic and shared environmental factors that would confound the alcohol - mental health relationship. Twins (N = 3,971; 909 same-sex pairs) from the Washington State Twin Registry (WSTR) completed an online survey examining several health-related behaviors and outcomes and their self-reported changes due to COVID-19. About 14% of the respondents reported an increase in alcohol use. We found an association between both stress and anxiety and increased alcohol use, where twins with higher levels of stress and anxiety were more likely to report an increase in alcohol consumption. The associations were small and confounded by between-family factors and demographic characteristics. However, there was no significant difference in stress or anxiety levels between non-drinkers and those who reported no change in alcohol use. Our findings suggest that individuals' mental health may be associated with changes in alcohol use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ally R. Avery
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, United States
| | - Siny Tsang
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, United States
| | - Edmund Y. W. Seto
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Glen E. Duncan
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, United States
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Moosavi S, Nwaka B, Akinjise I, Corbett SE, Chue P, Greenshaw AJ, Silverstone PH, Li XM, Agyapong VIO. Mental Health Effects in Primary Care Patients 18 Months After a Major Wildfire in Fort McMurray: Risk Increased by Social Demographic Issues, Clinical Antecedents, and Degree of Fire Exposure. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:683. [PMID: 31620033 PMCID: PMC6760025 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To assess prevalence of likely posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in patients attending the only out-of-hours primary care clinic in Fort McMurray some 18 months following a major fire. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was used to collect data through self-administered paper-based questionnaires to determine likely PTSD, MDD, and GAD using the PTSD Checklists for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) 5, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) 9, and GAD-7, respectively, from residents of Fort McMurray who were impacted by the wildfires. This was carried out eighteen (18) months after a major wildfire, which required the rapid evacuation of the entire city population (approximately 90,000 individuals). Results: We achieved a response rate of 48% and results from the 290 respondents showed the 1 month prevalence rate for likely PTSD was 13.6%, likely MDD was 24.8%, and likely GAD was 18.0%. Compared to self-reported prevalence rates before the wildfire (0%, 15.2%, and 14.5% respectively), these were increased for all diagnoses. After controlling for other factors in a logistic regression model, there were statistically significant associations between individuals who had likely PTSD, MDD, and GAD diagnoses and multiple socio-demographic, clinical, and exposure-related variables as follows: PTSD: History of anxiety disorder and received counselling had odds ratios (ORs) of 5.80 and 7.14, respectively. MDD: Age, witnessed the burning of homes, history of depressive disorder, and receiving low level support from friends and family had ORs of 2.08, 2.29, 4.63, and 2.5, respectively. GAD: Fearful for their lives or the lives of friends/family, history of depressive disorder, and history of anxiety disorder had ORs of 3.52, 3.04, and 2.68, respectively. There were also associations between individuals with a likely psychiatric diagnosis and those who also had likely alcohol or drug abuse/dependence. Conclusion: Our study suggests there are high prevalence rates for mental health and addiction conditions in patients attending the out-of-hours clinic 18 months after the wildfires, with significant associations between multiple variables and likely PTSD, MDD, and GAD. Further studies are needed to explore the impact of population-based mental health interventions on the long-term mental health effects of the wildfires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahram Moosavi
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Bernard Nwaka
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Idowu Akinjise
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Sandra E. Corbett
- Department of Psychiatry, Northern Lights Regional Health Centre, Fort McMurray, AB, Canada
| | - Pierre Chue
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Andrew J. Greenshaw
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Peter H. Silverstone
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Xin-Min Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Vincent I. O. Agyapong
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Behavioral Health of Gulf Coast Residents 6 Years After the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: The Role of Trauma History. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2018; 13:497-503. [PMID: 30253814 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2018.84] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between oil spill exposure, trauma history, and behavioral health 6 years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (DHOS). We hypothesized that prior trauma would exacerbate the relationship between oil spill exposure and behavioral health problems. METHODS The sample included 2,520 randomly selected adults in coastal areas along the Gulf of Mexico. Participants reported their level of oil spill exposure, trauma history, depression, anxiety/worry, illness anxiety, and alcohol use. RESULTS Individuals with more traumatic experiences had a significantly higher risk for all measured behavioral health problems after controlling for demographic factors and DHOS exposure. Those with higher levels of DHOS exposure were not at greater risk for behavioral health problems after controlling for prior trauma, with the exception of illness anxiety. There was no evidence that trauma history moderated the association between DHOS exposure and behavioral health. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that trauma exposure may be a better indicator of long-term behavioral health risk than DHOS exposure among disaster-prone Gulf Coast residents. DHOS exposure may be a risk factor for illness anxiety but not more general behavioral health concerns. Trauma history did not appear to exacerbate risk for behavioral health problems among Gulf residents exposed to the DHOS. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:497-503).
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Rougemont-Bücking A, Grazioli VS, Marmet S, Daeppen JB, Lemoine M, Gmel G, Studer J. Non-medical use of prescription drugs by young men: impact of potentially traumatic events and of social-environmental stressors. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2018; 9:1468706. [PMID: 29760868 PMCID: PMC5944370 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2018.1468706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) is an increasing phenomenon associated with physical and psychological consequences. This study investigated the effects of distinct forms of stress on NMUPD. Methods: Data from 5308 young adult men from the Swiss cohort study on substance use risk factors (C-SURF) were analysed regarding NMUPD of sleeping pills, tranquilizers, opioid analgesics, psychostimulants, and antidepressants. Various forms of stress (discrete, potentially traumatic events, recent and long-lasting social-environmental stressors) during the period preceding the NMUPD assessment were measured. Backward log-binomial regression was performed and risk ratios (RR) were calculated. Results: NMUPD was significantly associated with the cumulative number of potentially traumatic events (e.g. for opioid analgesics, RR = 1.92, p < .001), with problems within the family (e.g. for sleeping pills, RR = 2.45, p < .001), and the peer group (e.g. for tranquilizer use, RR = 2.34, p < .01). Factors describing family functioning in childhood showed very few significant associations. Sexual assault by acquaintances was associated only with use of sleeping pills (RR = 2.91, p p <.01); physical assault by acquaintances was not associated with NMUPD. Physical (e.g. for psychostimulants, RR = 2.01, p < .001) or sexual assaults (e.g. for antidepressants, RR = 4.64, p < .001) perpetrated outside the family context did show associations with several drug categories. Conclusion: NMUPD appears to be more consistently associated with discrete and potentially traumatic events and with recent social-environmental stressors than with long-lasting stressors due to family functioning during childhood and youth. Physical and sexual assaults perpetrated by strangers showed more associations with NMUPD than those perpetrated by a family member.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ansgar Rougemont-Bücking
- Alcohol Treatment Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Chair of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Fribourg, Department of Neurosciences and Movement Science (NMS), Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Véronique S Grazioli
- Alcohol Treatment Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Simon Marmet
- Alcohol Treatment Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Bernard Daeppen
- Alcohol Treatment Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mélissa Lemoine
- Alcohol Treatment Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gerhard Gmel
- Alcohol Treatment Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Addiction Suisse, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada.,Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
| | - Joseph Studer
- Alcohol Treatment Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Orui M, Ueda Y, Suzuki Y, Maeda M, Ohira T, Yabe H, Yasumura S. The Relationship between Starting to Drink and Psychological Distress, Sleep Disturbance after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster: The Fukushima Health Management Survey. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14101281. [PMID: 29064443 PMCID: PMC5664781 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14101281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the prevalence of newly-started drinkers and their continuing drinking behaviors after the Great East Japan earthquake. Moreover, the relationships between newly-started drinking and psychological factor, disaster-related experience, and perceived radiation risk were examined. We used data from 37,687 pre-disaster non-drinkers who participated in the 2012 and 2013 surveys conducted in Fukushima. We defined newly-started drinkers as those who did not drink before the disaster but who began drinking after the disaster, based on information collected retrospectively. In 2012, 9.6% of non-drinkers began drinking, of which the prevalence of heavy drinkers was 18.4%. The prevalence of continued drinking among newly-started drinkers in 2013 was 53.8%. Logistic regression analyses revealed post-disaster newly-started drinking was significantly associated with being male, less than 65 years old, sleep dissatisfaction and psychological distress (Kessler 6 ≤ 13) when this model was adjusted for disaster-related experience and perceived radiation risk. Moreover, psychological distress and heavy drinking were significant risk factors for continued drinking among newly-started drinkers. Newly-started drinkers might use alcohol to cope with disaster-related stress. Thus, they may be targeted for disaster-related health services. Moreover, early intervention should encourage responsible drinking, since post-disaster heavy drinkers were likely to continue heavy drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatsugu Orui
- Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Yuka Ueda
- Department of Epidemiology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Yuriko Suzuki
- Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
- Department of Adult Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8553, Japan.
| | - Masaharu Maeda
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
- Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Tetsuya Ohira
- Department of Epidemiology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
- Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Hirooki Yabe
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
- Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Seiji Yasumura
- Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
- Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
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Combat exposure, emotional and physical role limitations, and substance use among male United States Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers. Qual Life Res 2017; 27:137-147. [PMID: 28921407 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-017-1706-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Combat-exposed soldiers are at an increased risk for health problems that diminish quality of life (QOL) and substance use. We explored the cross-sectional associations between combat exposure and two measures of QOL, and the effect of substance use on those associations. METHODS Data are from the baseline wave of Operation: SAFETY, an ongoing survey-based study of United States Army Reserve/National Guard (USAR/NG) soldiers and their partners. Our sample consisted of male USAR/NG soldiers with a history of deployment (N = 248). Limitations in usual activity due to physical and emotional problems were assessed using the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS Greater combat exposure was independently associated with limitations in usual activity due to physical (regression coefficient = -0.35, 95% CI -0.55 to -0.16, R 2 = 0.09; p < 0.01) and emotional (regression coefficient = -0.32, 95% CI -0.56 to -0.09, R 2 = 0.09; p < 0.01) problems. Combat exposure had a significant interaction with frequent heavy drinking on physical role limitations (regression coefficient = -0.65, 95% CI -1.18 to -0.12, R 2 = 0.12; p < 0.05) and emotional role limitations (regression coefficient = -0.83, 95% CI -1.46 to -0.19, R 2 = 0.12; p < 0.05). Combat exposure also had a significant interaction with lifetime non-medical use of prescription drugs on physical role limitations (regression coefficient = 0.81, 95% CI 0.18-1.45, R 2 = 0.11; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Combat is an unmodifiable risk factor for poor QOL among soldiers; however, frequent heavy drinking and non-medical use of prescription drugs modifies the relationship between combat exposure and QOL. Therefore, substance use is a potential point of intervention to improve QOL among soldiers.
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