Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2025
Advisor
Jeannette Manger
Abstract
Investigating different variables and the impact they have on excessive drinking can help us enhance our population’s overall quality of life. Our research examined key variables, including social associations, unemployment, education level, rural residency, mental health, physical distress, and access to mental health providers.
In Ohio, excessive drinking rates increased significantly between 2016 and 2023, coinciding with a decline in social association rates. A moderate positive correlation was identified between excessive drinking and educational attainment (r = .480, p < .001), suggesting increased alcohol use in more educated populations. Unexpectedly, a weak negative correlation emerged between unemployment and excessive drinking, challenging conventional assumptions. Additionally, the prevalence of frequent poor mental health in Ohio rose remarkably between 2016 and 2023, underscoring the growing burden of mental health challenges. Interestingly, no significant correlations were found between excessive drinking and rural residency or the availability of mental health providers. Lastly, a significant 37% of the variance in excessive drinking was explained by frequent physical distress, highlighting alcohol's potential role as a coping mechanism.
These results underscore the multifaceted nature of excessive drinking and its ties to societal and individual stressors. Addressing these issues through targeted interventions and policy adjustments could mitigate excessive drinking rates and its associated harms. Further experimental research involving longitudinal datasets and broader geographical contexts is recommended to deepen understanding and inform public health strategies.
Repository Citation
Kulkarni, E., & Gandhi, R. (2025). From Stress to Social Context: Examining the Drivers of Excessive Drinking. Wright State University. Dayton, Ohio.
