Psychiatry Clin Psychopharmacol. 2022 Dec 1;32(4):306-312. doi: 10.5152/pcp.2022.22493. eCollection 2022 Dec.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic caused changes in individuals’ daily lives, including drinking habits. This study attempted to identify factors of Korean adolescents’ current alcohol drinking due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: The study used secondary data from the 17th Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey that included 54 848 individuals. In this study, current alcohol drinking was defined as consuming at least 1 alcoholic drink per day for the past month. Changes in physical activity, mealtimes, smoking, and depressive symptoms were recorded.

RESULTS: The multiple logistic regression results show that the risk for current alcohol drinking due to the COVID-19 pandemic was 1.14 times higher in increased physical activity (95% CI: 1.04-1.25, P = .007); 1.18 times higher in increased skipping breakfast (95% CI: 1.07-1.30, P = .001); 1.22 times higher in decrease skipping breakfast (95% CI: 1.10-1.36, P < .001); and 15.69 times higher in increase smoking (95% CI: 12.53-19.64, P < .001).

CONCLUSION: It is necessary to improve social support systems and related policies for adolescents who experienced a change in daily habits due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results may contribute to preparing strategies and support measures to reduce drinking by developing personalized healthcare in the future.

PMID:38764883 | PMC:PMC11082592 | DOI:10.5152/pcp.2022.22493