The association between mental health symptoms and alcohol use among Chinese psychiatrists during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic

• Published in: Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.) Vol. 114; pp. 1 - 7
• Main Authors: Mo, Daming, Gluck, Rachel, Jiang, Feng, Tao, Rui, Geng, Feng, Liu, Tingfang, Liu, Yuanli, Liu, Huanzhong, Yi-lang Tang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.02.2024; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Alcohol use; Alcoholism - epidemiology; Anxiety; Anxiety - epidemiology; Anxiety - psychology; Cigarette smoking; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 pandemic; Depression - epidemiology; Depression - psychology; Female; Females; Humans; Male; Males; Medical personnel; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental Health; Pandemics; Post traumatic stress disorder; Psychiatrists; Questionnaires; SARS-CoV-2; Sociodemographics; Surgeons; Surveys; United States > US; China; COVID-19 pandemic; alcohol use; psychiatrists; mental health
• ISSN: 0741-8329; 1873-6823; 1873-6823
• DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2023.08.006

To investigate the association between mental health symptoms, alcohol use, and alcohol misuse among psychiatrists in China during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted an online survey to collect data regarding mental health symptoms and alcohol use among psychiatrists in early 2020. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-Chinese Version (DASS-21) was used to assess depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms, and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) was used to assess alcohol use. In total, 3774 psychiatrists completed the survey. AUDIT-C scores were positively correlated with DASS total and depression, anxiety, and stress subscales (total: r = 0.015, depression: r = 0.121, anxiety: r = 0.103, and stress: r = 0.096, all p < 0.05). Alcohol misuse was associated with male sex (OR = 4.754), cigarette smoking (OR = 2.441), administrative position (OR = 1.811), depression (OR = 1.489), and stress (OR = 1.504). Those who reported increased alcohol use during the pandemic were more likely to be male (OR = 2.174), endorse anxiety symptoms (OR = 2.386), or increased stress (OR = 2.402). Mental health symptoms were common among psychiatrists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Depression and stress symptoms were significantly associated with alcohol misuse. Anxiety and stress symptoms were associated with reported increases in alcohol use. Though a causal relationship cannot be inferred, our findings suggest that strategies promoting healthcare professionals’ mental well-being should include alcohol use. •Depression and stress symptoms were significantly associated with alcohol misuse.•Anxiety and stress symptoms were associated with reported increases in alcohol use.•Though a causal relationship cannot be inferred, our findings suggest that strategies promoting healthcare professionals' mental well-being should include alcohol use.