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March 10, 2026Addiction

Understanding the relationship of social anxiety with alcohol use and alcohol‐related problems in young people: A meta‐analysis

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Authors

AFAnton J. FichtenmaierAGAmanda M. George

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Overview

Meta-analysis finds social anxiety influences alcohol use and related issues in young people, suggesting complex interactions involving impulsivity.

Key Points

  • The study aims to explore the relationship between social anxiety and alcohol-related outcomes among young people, focusing on factors like impulsivity.
  • Conducted systematic literature search to identify studies on social anxiety and alcohol-related outcomes in young people (ages 13–29).
  • Performed five random-effects meta-analyses to analyze alcohol use, problematic use, and alcohol-related problems (ARPs).
  • Included 70 studies and extracted 233 effect sizes from the literature.
  • Social anxiety was negatively correlated with index alcohol use (r = -0.05), indicating lower alcohol consumption.
  • No significant correlation found between social anxiety and quantity or frequency of alcohol use.
  • Social anxiety positively linked to alcohol-related problems (r = 0.13) and problematic alcohol use (r = 0.06).
  • Impulsivity was a significant moderator, enhancing the effects of social anxiety on alcohol use correlations.

Cite This Study

Fichtenmaier et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69af95de70916d39fea4df2fhttps://doi.org/10.1111/add.70345
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Also Consider

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  1. 1“I Have Mixed Drinks about Feelings” Examining Multiple Social Anxiety-Related Psychosocial Mechanisms of Alcohol Misuse2025
  2. 2Exploring Mediators and Moderators in the Relationship Between Anxiety and Alcohol Use: A Systematic Review2026 · 1 citations
  3. 3Social Anxiety, Pregaming Motives/Behaviors, and Negative Alcohol Consequences Among a Multisite Sample of University Students2024 · 1 citations
  4. 4Adolescent Sleep Quality and Alcohol Use: An Initial Examination of the Serial Indirect Effects of Anxiety Symptoms and Coping Motives for Alcohol Use2024
  5. 5Impact of problematic substance use and social anxiety on school functioning: Insights from the Texas Youth Depression and Suicide Research Network2026