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Behavioral Sciences
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Stress and Drinking
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Stress and Drinking

A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 18738

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Julie Patock-Peckham

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Interests: alcohol; over drinking; addictions

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Behavioral Sciences is requesting empirical manuscripts to undergo the peer-review process for a Special Issue on Stress and Drinking. Julie A. Patock-Peckham serves as the guest editor. We are seeking papers focusing on the psychosocial determinants (traits or environmental influences) of alcohol-use disorders associated with stress and drinking too much. Papers with acute manipulations of stress, novel trait predictors of stress, trauma history, lifetime allostatic load, loneliness, relationships and grief, job loss, family history, immigrant status, and poor sleep quality are welcome.  Papers that include impaired control over alcohol-use measures and/or heavy-episodic-drinking measures will be of particular interest. We welcome empirical papers with alcohol self-administration techniques, ecological momentary assessment (EMA), longitudinal data, and novel cross-sectional findings that push the field forward. We would like a group of papers that hit a variety of age groups including adolescents, emerging adults, and middle aged as well as aging adults.  Due to gaps in the literature regarding gender health disparities in alcohol self-administration studies, papers with samples with a sufficient ratio of women to men will receive preference for this Special Issue.

Dr. Julie Patock-Peckham
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Behavioral Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • stress
  • alcohol use disorders
  • drinking
  • psychosocial determinants
  • heavy episodic drinking
  • gender

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 228 KiB  
Article
Drinking While Stressed and Drinking to Cope Differentially Relate to Mental Health
by Carley Vornlocher and Michelle N. Shiota
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(5), 402; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14050402 - 12 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1727
Abstract
Excessive alcohol use, as well as drinking to manage distress, are known to undermine mental health. The current study examined the unique associations of simply consuming alcohol while stressed, versus using alcohol to cope with distress, with mental health during the early stages [...] Read more.
Excessive alcohol use, as well as drinking to manage distress, are known to undermine mental health. The current study examined the unique associations of simply consuming alcohol while stressed, versus using alcohol to cope with distress, with mental health during the early stages of COVID-19. Participants (N = 264) reported their alcohol use and use of alcohol/substances to cope with stress daily for 22 days and completed measures of mental health at baseline and every 7 days thereafter. Hierarchical regression models were tested to predict drinking while stressed, drinking to cope, and mental health. At baseline, drinking while stressed was not significantly associated with mental health when coping motives were accounted for. However, drinking to cope was significantly associated with greater stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Drinking while stressed was significantly predicted by baseline stress and loneliness, while drinking to cope was significantly predicted by baseline anxiety. Drinking while stressed was not a significant predictor of change in mental health when coping motives were accounted for. Drinking to cope was a significant predictor of increases in depression but not of change in stress, anxiety, or loneliness. The motivation to manage distress appears to be driving the negative effects of alcohol use on mental health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stress and Drinking)
17 pages, 1715 KiB  
Article
A Test of the Self-Medication Hypothesis Using a Latent Measurement Model: Are Stress and Impaired Control over Alcohol Mediating Mechanisms of Parenting Styles on Heavy Episodic Drinking and Alcohol-Related Problems among University Students?
by Felix B. Muniz, Elena Kalina, Julie A. Patock-Peckham, Sophia Berberian, Brittney Fulop, Jason Williams and Robert F. Leeman
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(5), 384; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14050384 - 2 May 2024
Viewed by 2298
Abstract
Introduction: The self-medication hypothesis (SMH) suggests that individuals consume alcohol to alleviate stressful emotions. Still, the underlying mechanisms between stress and heavy episodic drinking remain to be explored. Impaired control over drinking (IC) reflects a failure of self-regulation specific to the drinking context, [...] Read more.
Introduction: The self-medication hypothesis (SMH) suggests that individuals consume alcohol to alleviate stressful emotions. Still, the underlying mechanisms between stress and heavy episodic drinking remain to be explored. Impaired control over drinking (IC) reflects a failure of self-regulation specific to the drinking context, with individuals exceeding self-prescribed limits. Parenting styles experienced during childhood have a lasting influence on the stress response, which may contribute to IC. Method: We examined the indirect influences of parenting styles (e.g., permissive, authoritarian, and authoritative) on heavy episodic drinking and alcohol-related problems through the mediating mechanisms of stress and IC. We fit a latent measurement model with 938 (473 men; 465 women) university students, utilizing bootstrap confidence intervals, in Mplus 8.0. Results: Higher levels of authoritative parenting (mother and father) were indirectly linked to fewer alcohol-related problems and less heavy episodic drinking through less stress and IC. Maternal permissiveness was indirectly linked to more alcohol-related problems and heavy episodic drinking through more stress and, in turn, more IC. Impaired control appeared to be a mediator for stress and alcohol-related problems. Conclusions: Maternal permissiveness contributes to the use of alcohol to alleviate stress. Thus, reducing stress may reduce problematic heavy drinking and alcohol problems among emerging adults with high IC who may also have experienced permissive parenting. Stress may exacerbate behavioral dysregulation of drinking within self-prescribed limits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stress and Drinking)
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15 pages, 734 KiB  
Article
Problematic Substance Use among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Young Adults during COVID-19
by Amanda K. Haik and Andrea M. Hussong
Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(8), 655; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13080655 - 4 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1451
Abstract
Sexual minority young adults (SMYAs), compared to heterosexual young adults (HYAs), are a uniquely high-risk population for problematic substance use, a disparity perhaps exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study tested whether SMYAs had more problematic substance use than HYAs during the pandemic [...] Read more.
Sexual minority young adults (SMYAs), compared to heterosexual young adults (HYAs), are a uniquely high-risk population for problematic substance use, a disparity perhaps exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study tested whether SMYAs had more problematic substance use than HYAs during the pandemic due to isolation and loneliness as well as lower family closeness. Participants (N = 141) aged 23–29 completed self-report surveys in 2014–2015 as college students and in the summer of 2021 as young adults (59% White, 26% Black/African American, 9% Asian/Middle Eastern, 6% Hispanic/Latino, and <1% American Indian/Alaska Native). Results of multivariate regression and multiple group path analyses did not support hypothesized effects—SMYAs did not have greater increases in problematic substance use compared to HYAs, isolation and loneliness were not significant mediators, and family closeness was not a significant moderator. However, SMYAs experienced a lack of social safety—increased loneliness and decreased family closeness—compared to HYAs. Further research is needed to investigate both the impact and underlying processes of this decreased social safety on SMYA well-being beyond the pandemic to better inform tailored supports and interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stress and Drinking)
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14 pages, 295 KiB  
Article
Impulsivity and Alcohol Use during Pregnancy and Postpartum: Insights from Novel Methodological Approaches within the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Sharon L. Ruyak, Melissa H. Roberts, Stephanie Chambers, Xingya Ma, Jared DiDomenico, Richard De La Garza II and Ludmila N. Bakhireva
Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(7), 600; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13070600 - 18 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1587
Abstract
Impaired emotion regulation and impulsivity have been linked to substance use. This study evaluated the association between emotion regulation difficulties—specifically impulsivity—and substance use within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic among pregnant (n = 49) and postpartum (n = 20) women. [...] Read more.
Impaired emotion regulation and impulsivity have been linked to substance use. This study evaluated the association between emotion regulation difficulties—specifically impulsivity—and substance use within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic among pregnant (n = 49) and postpartum (n = 20) women. Participants from a prospective cohort ENRICH-2 completed a baseline phone survey of COVID-19-related experiences and impulsivity followed by a 14-day (3x/day) mobile ecological momentary assessment (mEMA) of impulsivity and substance use. Between-subject (BS) and within-subject (WS) associations for baseline impulsivity and momentary impulsivity with respect to substance use were examined using mixed effects models. At the BS level, momentary impulsivity scores that were higher than the overall group average were positively associated with subsequent momentary reports of marijuana use (β = 1.25; p = 0.04) when controlling for pregnancy status and COVID-19-related stress. At the WS level, momentary impulsivity scores that were higher than an individual’s average score were positively associated with subsequent reports of momentary alcohol use (β = 0.08; p = 0.04). This research supports the idea that impulsivity varies based on individual situations, such as stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and may be an important correlate of substance use in pregnant and postpartum women. Future research might consider investigation of additional factors, which may serve to moderate or mediate the relationship between impulsivity and substance use. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stress and Drinking)
13 pages, 1971 KiB  
Article
Oxytocin Attenuates Yohimbine-Induced Reinstatement of Alcohol-Seeking in Female Rats via the Central Amygdala
by Samantha M. Wilfur, Elizabeth C. McNeely, Aliya A. Lackan, Cassie P. Bowers and Kah-Chung Leong
Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(7), 556; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13070556 - 4 Jul 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1697
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder is a significant public health concern, further exacerbated by an increased risk of relapse due to stress. In addition, factors such as biological sex may contribute to the progression of addiction, as females are especially susceptible to stress-induced relapse. While [...] Read more.
Alcohol use disorder is a significant public health concern, further exacerbated by an increased risk of relapse due to stress. In addition, factors such as biological sex may contribute to the progression of addiction, as females are especially susceptible to stress-induced relapse. While there have been many studies surrounding potential pharmacological interventions for male stress-induced ethanol reinstatement, research regarding females is scarce. Recently, the neuropeptide oxytocin has gained interest as a possible pharmacological intervention for relapse. The present study examines how oxytocin affects yohimbine-induced reinstatement of ethanol-seeking in female rats using a self-administration paradigm. Adult female rats were trained to press a lever to access ethanol in daily self-administration sessions. Rats then underwent extinction training before a yohimbine-induced reinstatement test. Rats administered with yohimbine demonstrated significantly higher lever response indicating a reinstatement of ethanol-seeking behavior. Oxytocin administration, both systemically and directly into the central amygdala, attenuated the effect of yohimbine-induced reinstatement of ethanol-seeking behavior. The findings from this study establish that oxytocin is effective at attenuating alcohol-relapse behavior mediated by the pharmacological stressor yohimbine and that this effect is modulated by the central amygdala in females. This provides valuable insight regarding oxytocin’s potential therapeutic effect in female stress-induced alcohol relapse. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stress and Drinking)
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12 pages, 548 KiB  
Article
Perceived Stress Is Directly Associated with Major Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages among Public University Students
by Cesar Campos-Ramírez, Jorge Palacios-Delgado, Maria del Carmen Caamaño-Perez, Nicolas Camacho-Calderon, María Elena Villagrán-Herrera, Adriana Aguilar-Galarza, Teresa García-Gasca and Miriam Aracely Anaya-Loyola
Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(3), 232; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13030232 - 7 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2680
Abstract
Stress is a condition that has been related to the development of risk behaviors for health such as sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) consumption. The aim of this study was to examine the link between SSBs consumption and perceived stress level in university students. This [...] Read more.
Stress is a condition that has been related to the development of risk behaviors for health such as sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) consumption. The aim of this study was to examine the link between SSBs consumption and perceived stress level in university students. This was an observational, cross-sectional and single-time-point study where the subjects were recruited as a non-probabilistic sample of first-year university students. The students reported their SSBs consumption through a validated questionnaire, as well as their perceived stress level, evaluated through the Cohen scale. Comparisons were made between the means of all variables. Factorial analysis of variance was conducted to explore the effect of the variables’ interaction on the stress level. One-way analysis of variance was performed to assess differences between the sexes. Men consumed more SSBs (6101.17 ± 3772.50 mL/week) compared to women (4294.06 ± 3093.8 mL/week). However, women had higher scores of perceived stress and showed a strong association of stress with the SSBs consumption pattern (r and p-value). This study shows for the first time the association that exists between stress and SSBs consumption and indicates that it is related to sex in the young population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stress and Drinking)
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16 pages, 755 KiB  
Article
Do Coping Motives and Perceived Impaired Control Mediate the Indirect Links from Childhood Trauma Facets to Alcohol-Related Problems?
by Jai Bitsoih, Julie A. Patock-Peckham, Jessica R. Canning, Annie Ong, Allison Becerra and Matthew Broussard
Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(3), 197; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13030197 - 23 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2766
Abstract
Introduction: The Self-Medication Hypothesis suggests that individuals drink to alleviate undesirable affective states. Behavioral Economics Theory states that individuals deprived of resources (i.e., physically neglected) consume more reinforcing substances when they are available than others. Childhood trauma may indirectly increase impaired control over [...] Read more.
Introduction: The Self-Medication Hypothesis suggests that individuals drink to alleviate undesirable affective states. Behavioral Economics Theory states that individuals deprived of resources (i.e., physically neglected) consume more reinforcing substances when they are available than others. Childhood trauma may indirectly increase impaired control over alcohol (IC; drinking beyond one’s own intentions) and thereby increase alcohol use and problems through the employment of coping-motives. Method: A structural equation model that included sex as a covariate examined mediated paths with 612 university students. Results: Men were less likely to be emotionally abused and were more likely to use greater amounts of alcohol than women did. Physical neglect was directly linked to both more IC and alcohol use. Emotional and sexual abuse were directly linked to more coping motives. Both emotional and sexual abuse were indirectly linked to more alcohol use and its related problems through increased coping motives and IC. Conclusions: Consistent with Behavioral Economics Theory, there was a direct link between physical neglect and IC. We also found partial support for the Self-Medication Hypothesis regarding the emotional and sexual abuse trauma dimensions; they indirectly contributed to alcohol use and its related problems via the mediating mechanisms of more coping motives and IC. Our findings suggest coping motives could be a therapeutic target for intervention among those sexually or emotionally abused. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stress and Drinking)
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12 pages, 854 KiB  
Article
Does Relationship-Contingent Self-Esteem Play a Role in the Stress to Impaired Control Pathway to Alcohol-Related Problems in a College Student Sample?
by Elena Kalina, Krystina Boyd-Frenkel, Julie A. Patock-Peckham, Lauren Schneidewent, Matthew L. Broussard and Robert F. Leeman
Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(2), 185; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13020185 - 17 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2309
Abstract
The Appraisal-Disruption Model (ADM) suggests that individuals use alcohol as a means of dampening negative self-talk. Relationship-contingent self-esteem (RCSE) emerges from validating one’s self-esteem depending on one’s romantic relationship(s) and is known to predict alcohol-related problems. We hypothesized that RCSE indirectly predicts drinking [...] Read more.
The Appraisal-Disruption Model (ADM) suggests that individuals use alcohol as a means of dampening negative self-talk. Relationship-contingent self-esteem (RCSE) emerges from validating one’s self-esteem depending on one’s romantic relationship(s) and is known to predict alcohol-related problems. We hypothesized that RCSE indirectly predicts drinking outcomes through the mediating mechanism(s) of stress and impaired control over alcohol (IC; drinking to excess beyond one’s own intentions). We fit a multiple-group structural equation model with self-report survey data from 479 college students. We used a 20,000 bootstrap technique to examine possible mediated pathways. Consistent with evolutionary theory, our model was moderated by sex: more variance in alcohol-related problems was explained for women (R2 = 0.479) than for men (R2 = 0.280). RCSE was directly linked to more stress. Furthermore, higher levels of RCSE were indirectly linked to more IC through increased stress, and in turn, more heavy episodic drinking and alcohol-related problems for both men and women. Consistent with the ADM, those with higher levels of RCSE experienced more stress and, in turn, more IC and subsequent adverse alcohol outcomes. Thus, therapists targeting alcohol use disorders (AUDs) may wish to determine if their client’s self-esteem changes dramatically based on their moment-to-moment appraisal of their intimate relationships. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stress and Drinking)
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Examining Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of a Digital Intervention to Address Stress-related Drinking
Authors: Dongju Seo; Justin Choi; Lisa Goldberg; Rajita Sinha
Affiliation: Yale University School of Medicine
Abstract: Stress significantly impacts alcohol use disorder (AUD), and hazardous drinking alters autonomic function and stress biology to impact the course of the illness and treatment outcomes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant rise in stress-induced alcohol misuse in general population, highlighting an exigent need to develop a novel digital intervention to target stress-related hazardous drinking. To address this, we developed a novel prevention program using telehealth and a smartphone app to treat stress-related drinking and tested its feasibility during the pandemic.

Title: A longitudinal examination of stress, affect dynamics, and alcohol-related outcomes across emerging adulthood
Authors: Stephen Armeli; Richard Feinn; Elise Bragard; Howard Tennen
Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Fairleigh Dickinson University, NJ Department of Medical Sciences, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT Alcohol Research Center, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, CT Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, CT
Abstract: Using data from an intensive longitudinal burst design, we examined how affect dynamics were associated with stress, alcohol use, and drinking motives during emerging adulthood. Participants reported their affective states, stress, alcohol use, and drinking motives in 30-day daily diaries in college, and again approximately five and ten years later. At each wave we calculated from the daily data indicators of affect variability, inertia, and positive and negative affect bipolarity. We then examined the stability of these affect dynamics indicators across time and whether changes in these indicators were associated with stress, drinking levels and affect-regulation drinking motives.

Title: Prospective associations among loneliness and health for service members: Perceived helplessness and perceived coping-efficacy as explanatory mechanisms
Authors: Sarah N. Arpin1 Cynthia D. Mohr2 Todd E. Bodner2 Leslie B. Hammer2,3 James D. Lee4
Affiliation: 1Department of Psychology, Gonzaga University 2Depatment of Psychology, Portland State University 3Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Sciences University 4U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral & Social Sciences
Abstract: Loneliness is detrimental to health, contributing to such outcomes as alcohol misuse and sleep disturbance, potentially due in part to elevated levels of perceived stress. Although existing evidence is supportive, these hypothesized relationships have not been explored with military service members, who are particularly at risk for loneliness (Wilson et al., 2018; Strauss et al., 2022), alcohol misuse (Bray et al., 2010), sleep insufficiencies (Farhadian et al. 2022), and psychological distress (Nichter et al., 2020). The current study explores prospective associations among loneliness, stress, and health (i.e., sleep, alcohol misuse, psychological distress) within a sample of N = 276 service members. Further, we explore two dimensions of perceived stress, perceived helplessness and coping efficacy (Taylor, 2015), as explanatory mechanisms through which loneliness is consequential to health over time. Controlling for baseline stress and health outcomes, baseline loneliness predicted perceived helplessness and perceived coping efficacy at a 4-month follow-up. Subsequently, coping efficacy predicted alcohol misuse, and perceived helplessness and coping efficacy predicted greater insomnia and sleep dissatisfaction (i.e., indirect effects). Findings contribute to the current understanding of how loneliness impacts health, extending research to a military sample and revealing potential points of intervention for health consequences of loneliness. Keywords: loneliness, stress, sleep, alcohol misuse

Title: Moderating Role of Sex in The Relationship Between Anxiety, Depression, and Stress-Induced Alcohol Seeking
Authors: A.C.S. Garrison, J. Hays, J.D. Haines, M. Cox, M. Mlungwana, E. Ragsdale, T. Bravo, A.E.K. Kosobud, D. Kareken, S. O’Connor, M.H. Plawecki, & M.A. Cyders
Affiliation: Indiana University Indianapolis, Department of Psychology, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
Abstract: Sex differences in alcohol use and outcomes have been established. There are also sex differences in stress responsivity, implicating stress as a potential mechanism through which alcohol use may differ between men and women. Stress-related disorders such as depression and anxiety may play a role in these sex differences. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between anxiety, depression, and stress-induced alcohol seeking. Findings indicated a significant relationship between anxiety score and sex in predicting the total number of trials completed to earn alcohol rewards (alcohol seeking) during the stress-induction session (b=22.33, p < 0.05). Post hoc analyses indicated a significant positive relationship between anxiety and alcohol seeking for women (b=14.94, p < 0.05), and a negative relationship between anxiety and alcohol seeking for men which did not reach significance. The interaction between depression score and sex was not found to be significant (b = 6.43, p = 0.14). However, the direction of the relationships mirrored the anxiety results with women showing a nonsignificant positive relationship between depression and alcohol seeking and men showing a nonsignificant negative relationship between depression and alcohol seeking. These results point to a potential role of anxiety and depression symptoms in the differential effects of stress on alcohol seeking among men and women. Further research is needed to clarify these relationships.

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