The Association Between Immigration-Related Stress, COVID-19 Impact, and Drinking Motives Among US-Born Latinos During the Pandemic

The objective of the present study was to identify factors associated with increased alcohol use during the COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of drinkers and heavy drinkers US-born Latino adults. Hierarchal logistic regression modelling was employed to evaluate associations between the increased use of alcohol during the pandemic and potential risk factors. Participants in the medium and high adverse COVID-19 impact classes reported higher odds (AOR: 7.63, 95 % CI: 2.34-24.84) of increasing their alcohol use during the pandemic. Higher education (AOR: 7.63, 95 % CI: 2.34-24.84), immigration stress (AOR: 2.53, 95 % CI: 1.35-4.75), and drinking to cope (AOR: 1.13, 95 % CI: 1.06-1.19) were positively associated with increased alcohol use during the pandemic. Stressors stemming from adverse consequences resulting from the pandemic may negatively influence the alcohol use behaviors of US-born Latinos, which may potentially exacerbate existing racial/ethnic alcohol-related disparities.