Knowledge Mobilization Assignment (10% of course grade)

Due date: Monday, November 22nd at 2pm

PSYC 4P07
Oforiwaa Badu (6567853)
Nb18dx@brocku.ca

Did the COVID-19 pandemic cause alcohol use within university and college students to
increase or decrease?
Did the COVID-19 pandemic cause alcohol use within university and college students to
increase or decrease?
Knowledge User/ Purpose:
The knowledge users intended for this report are parents, teachers, college/
university students, alcohol companies, elementary and high school students. Technology
users need to know the dangers associated with alcohol use during a life-threatening
global crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents and teacher’s students can educate
their children and student about the dangers associated with binge drinking. College and
university students can change behaviours by being informed about the dangers of binge
drinking. Alcohol companies can use this information to try to control the level of alcohol
percentages and limit accessibility to university and college students. Elementary and
high school students should be exposed to this information because educating students at
a young age may prevent alcohol and binge drinking behaviours in universities.
Context:
Previous research on alcohol use among college and university populations have
constantly shown results indicating binge drinking is an ongoing research problem. In
relation to the COVID pandemic, it also has shown problems. The COVID-19 pandemic
has allowed for alcohol consumption behaviours to be tested to examine changes to
alcohol consumption. Research related to COVID-19 and alcohol consumption has
resulted in different conclusions. This may be due to the nuances related to the pandemic
that has yet to be researched. Previous research found that high-stress levels in university
and college leads to more drinking behaviors. Previous research also shows social
interactions and conformity go together with college drinking. However, the changes
recorded during the Covid pandemic were due to fewer social interactions. This led to a
reduction of alcohol consumption due to limited social interaction available because of
social isolation. Research suggests students used alcohol as a coping mechanism during
the COVID pandemic. The purpose of this current research is to examine changes in
alcohol consumption within the college and university population. As it relates to the
COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in social isolation, emotional, and social interaction
reduction. The information in this research article is important to the target knowledge
users because drinking has always been an ongoing problem among university students.
The COVID-19 pandemic allows for a new factor to be considered with respect to
consumption and examine strategies to reduce this behaviour.
Research Overview:
The methods applied in this study were both self-report and a longitudinal
approach. The participants were gathered through an online email invitation. There were
two waves studied the first wave started in October 2019 and ended in February 2020.
The second wave started in February until March 2020. There was a total of 439
college/university students 18 or older the max-age used was 21. The participants were
expected to complete self-reports related to specific measures and variables in question.
The self-reports asked questions about COVID-19 pandemic stressors specifically related
to health, work, and school. Levels of social engagement were also asked in relation to
social isolation and time spent with others. Binge drinking, alcohol behaviors, and
alcohol consumption levels were also reported. Lastly, coping mechanisms were reported
through questions about resiliency. After statistically analyzing the self-reports, the
results showed a slight decrease in drinking behaviour, but it was not a statistically
significant change. The researchers failed to see a strong association between COVID-19
stressors related to health, work, and school in relation with alcohol use. Previous
drinkers were more likely to engage in higher levels of binge drinking when faced with
learning and social struggles brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Coping strategies
related to resiliency lead to less drinking within the population in question. However
previous drinkers and substance users are more likely to engage in higher levels of
drinking in addition to facing COVID-19 stressors.
Implications:
The findings are important to the specific knowledge users this report is dedicated
to because alcohol consumption can lead to many negative effects. Due to the COVID-19
pandemic limiting social engagement university students didn’t live in an environment
that allowed for habitual drinking. This suggests the social expectations, norms, and
interactions enacted during university are a factor in binge drinking. The research showed
having coping strategies related to high levels of resiliency can stop binge drinking
regardless of the environment a college or university student is in. The results also
highlighted the negative dangers associated with previous drinking and drug history in
relation to the COVID-19 pandemic stressors. High level of stress is a ubiquitous part of
the university experience. Individuals who are unable to cope using different strategies
such as resiliency fall victim to binge drinking and substance abuse. Overall, the results
highlight the importance social engagement and social surroundings have on levels of
alcohol consumption within universities.
Recommendations/ Considerations:
Given the importance placed on social engagement and social interactions as it
relates to alcohol consumption in universities/colleges. Knowledge users reading this
report should engage in making meaningful friendships with individuals who are able to
find a balance in school and social life. Such friends will allow for social interactions that
are not always demanding alcohol. Such individuals with an equilibrium between school
and social life, are less likely to overindulge in alcohol or drugs. Surrounding yourself
with such people will lead to fewer binge drinking behaviours within one’s university
life. Universities should create campaigns and social interventions dedicated to
eradicating irresponsible use of alcohol. The interventions should be based on the social
marketing theory, which suggests the design and comprehensive nature of a prevention
program are important to its success. The social marketing theory proposes campaigns
related to alcohol consumption should specifically focus on enhancing the reduction of
consumption (Black & Smith, 1994). The intervention should also have a focus on the
positive aspects of stopping binge drinking. Lastly, the intervention should provide an
alternate option to binge drinking to students that are similarly attractive and will result in
a harmless level of fun. The first barrier that could be faced with these recommendations
is finding friendships that are meaningful in university. There are limited events to make
a connection that long-lasting. Secondly, Due to the high-stress nature of universities,
many people are open to binge drinking and using drugs to distract themselves from
stress. This has allowed universities to build a culture where alcohol is indicative of
social interaction and social engagement. Lastly, although social interventions are a good
strategy it’s hard for the implementation of the intervention if students are unwilling to
change. Humans generally are unlikely to change behaviour because it requires high
levels of effort and motivation.
 Citations

Black, D. R., & Smith, M. A. (1994b). Reducing alcohol consumption among university

students: recruitment and program design strategies based on Social Marketing

Theory. Health Education Research, 9(3), 375–384.

https://doi.org/10.1093/her/9.3.375

Fruehwirth, J. C., Gorman, B. L., & Perreira, K. M. (2021). The Effect of Social and

Stress-Related Factors on Alcohol Use Among College Students During the Covid-19

Pandemic. Journal of Adolescent Health, 69(4), 557–565.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.06.016