Association Between Pandemic-Related Posttraumatic Stress, Emotion Dysregulation and Alcohol

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak has drastically altered people’s lives triggering an array of mental health problems. Psychological distress and emotional turmoil as a result of the pandemic can lead to the manifestation of symptoms of traumatic stress. Posttraumatic stress along with maladaptive emotion regulation can increase the likelihood of alcohol use. Aim: Taking this into consideration, the present study was conducted to examine the associations between pandemic-related posttraumatic stress, emotion dysregulation, and alcohol use. The relationship between these three variables was assessed using a cross-sectional survey design. Methods: The present study was designed as a cross-sectional online survey. Measures of pandemic-related posttraumatic stress, emotion dysregulation and alcohol use were obtained with the help of valid and reliable questionnaires from 75 participants. Results: Emotion dysregulation was significantly associated with pandemic-related posttraumatic stress and alcohol use. Further data analysis revealed that emotion dysregulation among those who had higher posttraumatic stress differed significantly from those who had lower posttraumatic stress.  Conclusion: The findings of the present study can be used to inform health policies and campaigns directed at promoting mental wellbeing during the pandemic.