Stress-Induced Alcohol Consumption in Young Adults

Abstract

Alcohol misuse and alcohol dependency are frequent in young adults in Germany. The cases have more increased in females than in males. Hypothesized is an association between stress load, stress coping and alcohol consumption for stress relief. A controlled laboratory experiment measured stress-induced beer consumption in 105 young women and men. Usual drinking behavior and stress coping were taken into account. After stress (TSST) beer intake was higher compared to control condition for men as well as for women. Stress coping was more inadequate in women. Alcohol consumption in laboratory is integrated in models of negative reinforcement and proposals of social cognitive learning theory.