Drinking to Cope Motivation in College as a Predictor of Post-College Interpersonal Problems and Depressive Symptoms

Evidence indicates that high levels of drinking to cope (DTC) motivation, independent of drinking level, might precede temporally proximal increases in negative affect and interpersonal stress. In the present study, we examined whether high levels of DTC motivation were related to these outcomes prospectively over a 5-year period.

We assessed college student drinkers first in college and then approximately 5 years later after leaving the college environment. At both time points participants reported depression symptoms in a one-time survey and daily drinking level, motives, and interpersonal stress via a 30-day diary. Interpersonal chronic stress was also assessed at wave 2 using a semi-structured phone-based interview. Finally, neuroticism, trait avoidance coping, and drinking-related problems were assessed in college and used as control variables.

DTC motivation assessed in college was uniquely and positively related to post-college depressive symptoms, mean levels of daily interpersonal stress, and interview-rated interpersonal stress.

Engagement in high levels of coping-motivated alcohol use in college could be a risk factor for longer-term internalizing symptoms and interpersonal problems. Individuals with high levels of DTC motivation in college could be a useful target for prevention and intervention.