Individual and spouse alcohol consumption patterns and anxiety: The mediating role of relationship satisfaction

Spousal relationships are a key context for alcohol use and psychological well-being. Alcohol consumption may influence mental health through its impact on relationship dynamics. This study examined whether relationship satisfaction mediates the association between alcohol use and anxiety and whether this pathway is moderated by spousal drinking congruence. Participants were spouses from the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey between 2005 and 2021. Multilevel structural equation models regressed individual and spouse alcohol consumption frequency and quantity on relationship satisfaction 1-year later, and all variables on anxiety another year later, up to eight times per participant. Moderation was assessed with individual and spouse alcohol consumption pattern interactions. Based on age-based differences in previous research, models were estimated separately for 18-50 (n = 6,483) and 51+ (n = 5,110) year olds. For 18- to 50-year-olds, relationship satisfaction partially mediated the association between individual alcohol quantity and anxiety, with effects dependent on spouse quantity (greater anxiety at low spouse quantity; lower anxiety at high spouse quantity). For those aged 51+, relationship satisfaction fully mediated the association between spouse quantity and anxiety, and partially mediated associations involving individual quantity and frequency, with frequency effects moderated by spouse frequency (greater anxiety at low spouse frequency; lower anxiety at high spouse frequency). Spousal incongruence in alcohol consumption patterns and heavier drinking among older spouses were associated with poorer psychosocial outcomes. Better outcomes were observed where spouses showed congruent heavy and frequent drinking among younger and older couples, respectively. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).