Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The research aimed to assess the linkages between alcohol propensity and stress and coping styles among Poles during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project also focused on investigating the significance of differences in alcohol propensity, taking into account selected sociodemographic characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1246 people (23.93 ± 2.88 y.o.) participated in the research, including 928 women (23.84 ± 2.89 y.o.) and 318 men (24.21 ± 2.85 y.o.). A self-administered questionnaire, CISS, PSS-10 and AUDIT were used for the study. The statistical procedures used the Pearson correlation coefficient, as well as the Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Positive correlations were found between the intensity of stress symptoms and emotional style in female and male groups. Among adults, factors contributed to high-intensity of alcohol propensity included: male gender, childlessness, living in cities of more than 100.000 inhabitants, people with secondary education, lack of a close personal relationship or being in a partnership, as well as a professional situation related to occasional or casual employment. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol consumption is associated with an emotion- and avoidant-oriented stress-coping styles. 39% women and 43% men of the surveyed were among those at risk of developing alcohol addiction. It implies that the age group remains one of the social groups most exposed to the development of alcohol use disorders. Such situation requires development of prevention programmes that take into account the needs of young people.