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Effect of Feelings of Community Disorganization on the Relationship between Feelings of Anxiety and Binge Drinking
by Jessica Harrison
Faculty Advisor: Keryn Pasch, PhD, MPH
Greater symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) have been associated with increased prevalence of binge drinking as a maladaptive coping mechanism in young adult populations. Previous studies indicate that alcohol abuse and anxiety are commonly co-occurring in individuals suggesting that alcohol may be used as a coping mechanism to mask symptoms of GAD. Living in a disordered or unsafe community may result in a stronger association between anxiety and alcohol use. However, the role of community disorganization in the relationship between anxiety and binge drinking has not been examined, particularly among young adults. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if feelings of community disorganization exacerbate the relationship between anxiety and binge drinking. Data are from a panel of U.S young adult participants aged 18-25 who completed an online survey between January-April 2022. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between community disorganization and the relationship of anxiety and binge drinking. This study found that the relationship between binge drinking, and anxiety was not exacerbated by community disorganization. Additionally, there was a significant association between feelings of anxiety and binge drinking as well as between binge drinking and community disorganization. Further, community disorganization had a stronger association with binge drinking rates compared to feelings of anxiety. Result also showed that individuals who were older, identified as male, identified as Hispanic/LatinX, were full-time students, and those of higher perceived subjective social status had a higher likelihood to binge drink compared to other participants. Future research should continue to explore the effects of these demographics and factors, especially community disorganization, on risk-taking behaviors in young adult populations.