Thach Tran|Karin Hammarberg|Maggie Kirkman|Hau Nguyen|Jane Fisher
Alcohol use and mental health status during the first months of COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
Monash University|Monash University|Monash University|Monash University|Monash University
aimed estimate population prevalence people changes usual patterns alcohol use early stages novel coronavirus pandemic 2020 covid19 pandemic australia assess association mental health status changes alcohol use pandemic examine associations modified gender age study anonymouslycompleted online selfreport survey changes alcohol use assessed using single fixedchoice studyspecific question mental health assessed using patient health questionnaire 9 generalized anxiety disorder scale total 13829 people contributed complete data included analysis overall one five adults reported drinking alcohol since covid19 pandemic began used people likely drinking alcohol used severe symptoms depression anxiety associations depressive anxiety symptoms increased alcohol use since covid19 pandemic began consistent females males online surveys less accessible groups people data selfreport diagnostic crosssectional data identify associations causal relationships study limited participants australia data indicate need public policies focused alcohol use covid19 pandemic strategies include specific consideration needs people mental health problems