Elsevier

Women's Health Issues

Volume 32, Issue 3, May–June 2022, Pages 235-240
Women's Health Issues

Mental Health
Women's Substance Use and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.whi.2022.01.004Get rights and content

Abstract

Purpose

Women are experiencing greater unemployment and increased stress from childcare responsibilities than men during the COVID-19 pandemic. Women with these experiences may be at particular risk for mental illness and increased substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the study was to assess women's substance use, mental health, and experiences of COVID-19 pandemic impacts.

Methods

A national online survey was administered to adult women from September to November 2020. The survey included questionnaires assessing mental health, loneliness, intolerance for uncertainty, social support, substance use, and intimate partner violence (IPV).

Results

A total of 499 women responded; most were White, college educated, and in their mid-30s. Of the 20.24% who acknowledged at least one IPV problem, 29.7% stated that their IPV problems have gotten worse since the pandemic began, and 16.83% said that they have increased their drug or alcohol use to cope with their relationship problems. Anxiety, perceived daily impact of COVID-19, and lower self-efficacy were significant predictors of COVID-19 anxiety. Those with risky alcohol use had significantly higher anxiety (p = .028) and depression (p = .032) than those with low-risk alcohol use.

Conclusions

Greater anxiety about COVID-19, greater reported changes in daily life due to the pandemic, and high-risk alcohol use are related to greater mental health–related distress among women. For some, IPV has gotten worse during the pandemic and drug or alcohol use is a coping mechanism.

Cited by (0)

Amanda Devoto, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program. Her research focus is on behavioral economic and incentive interventions in the promotion of health behaviors.

McKenzie Himelein-Wachowiak, BA, was a Post Baccalaureate Trainee at the National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and is currently pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Temple University. Her research focus is on nonsuicidal self-injury.

Tingting Liu, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program. Her research uses interdisciplinary methodologies to understand the social facilitators behind decision-making and mental health issues.

Brenda Curtis, PhD, MsPH, is a Clinical Investigator at the National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program. Her research leverages big data methodologies to better understand substance use, stigma, and health disparities.

This study was funded by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse.

The authors report no financial relationships with commercial interests.

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