Drinking and social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions: A five-wave longitudinal study among workers in Finland.

Oksanen, Atte; Oksa, Reetta; Savela, Nina; Celuch, Magdalena; Savolainen, Iina

BACKGROUND Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has restricted everyday life during 2020-2021. This has impacted alcohol consumption patterns and leisure activities, including the use of social media. OBJECTIVE Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze whether social media use predicts increased risky drinking over time and during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. METHODS Methods: This longitudinal five-wave survey study was conducted in 2019-2021 in Finland and based on a nationwide sample of workers. 840 respondents (56.31% male, aged 18-64, M = 43.90, SD = 11.14) took part in all 5 waves of the study. The outcome variable was risky drinking, measured with AUDIT-C. Multilevel linear hybrid modelling enabled the investigation of both within-person and between-person effects. Predictors included social media use and communication, involvement in social media identity bubbles, psychological distress, and remote working. Controls included sociodemographic factors and the Big Five personality traits. RESULTS Increased involvement in social media identity bubbles was associated with an increase in risky drinking. Out of social media platforms, online dating app use was associated with riskier use of alcohol over time during the COVID-19 crisis. Daily social media communication with colleagues about non-work topics was associated with risky drinking. Female gender, younger age, university education, non-industrial occupational field, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and neuroticism were associated with lower levels of risky drinking. CONCLUSIONS Social media use under pandemic conditions carries some risks for alcohol consumption. Involvement in social media bubbles and online dating are risk factors for excessive drinking during COVID-19. CLINICALTRIAL