Alcohol use among university students is a major public health concern. Especially those with preexisting mental health problems show signs of problem drinking. In times of COVID-19, the switch to...Show moreAlcohol use among university students is a major public health concern. Especially those with preexisting mental health problems show signs of problem drinking. In times of COVID-19, the switch to online learning, social distancing measures, and fears related to the coronavirus put a strain on students’ mental health. This study investigated whether higher COVID-19-related fears are associated with higher alcohol use in students and if study-related stress mediates this relationship. Additionally, it was predicted that students drank more because of internal motives rather than external motives during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aimed to identify points for intervention in order to prevent problem drinking in the student population. 139 responses of students from Leiden University to an online survey were analyzed. The questionnaires administered included the Alcohol Use Disorders Inventory Test 3 (AUDIT), Drinking Motives Questionnaire (DMQ), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), and Law Student Perceived Stress Scale (LSPSS). Simple linear regression analyses and a pairedsamples t-test were used to analyze the data. The results showed that neither COVID-19-related fears nor study-related stress were significant predictors of alcohol use. However, COVID-19- related fears significantly predicted study-related stress. Lastly, students were more motivated by internal than external motives to drink. Interventions should target COVID-19-related fears and study-related stress to decrease the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the academic achievement of students. Additionally, internal motives for drinking need to be targeted to decrease and/or prevent problem drinking in this population.Show less
