Effects of drinking behavior on depressive symptoms in college students:the mediating role of anxiety symptoms

MA Di; LYU Yang; LIU Hongyao; WU Zhongying; MA Zhujing; LIU Bin

doi:10.13276/j.issn.2097-1656.2024.09.013

Abstract：Objective To explore the relationship between drinking behavior,anxiety symptoms,and depressive symptoms in college students.Methods The questionnaire survey and statistical analysis of 196 college students from a university in Shaanxi Province were conducted by using the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test,Self-Rating Anxiety Scale,and Self-Rating Depression Scale.Results The results of correlation analysis showed that drinking behavior was significantly positively correlated with the total score of depressive symptoms(r=0.177,P<0.05),and its dimensions of depressed mood experience(r=0.253,P<0.001)and somatic disorder(r=0.172,P<0.05).Drinking behavior was significantly positively correlated with the total score of anxiety symptoms(r=0.273,P<0.001)and its dimensions of anxious mood experience(r=0.274,P<0.001),motor restlessness(r=0.157,P<0.05),and somatic symptoms(r=0.348,P<0.001).The total score of anxiety symptoms showed a significant positive correlation with total score of depressive symptoms(r=0.879,P<0.001)and its dimensions of depressed mood experience(r=0.881,P<0.001),cognitive disorders(r=0.683,P<0.001),and somatic disorders(r=0.678,P<0.001).The results of mediation analyses indicated that the anxiety symptoms of college students played a complete mediating role between drinking behavior and depressive symptoms.Conclusion Drinking behavior can play an indirect role in depressive symptoms through anxiety symptoms.Therefore,mental health practitioners can use simple psychological methods to alleviate anxiety symptoms in college drinkers in order to prevent them from developing further depressive symptoms.