Therianou, Maria (2023) Exploring the relationship between Meaning in Life and Alcohol Use. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Alcohol use is a major public health problem with potential consequences ranging from physical and mental health problems to social and interpersonal problems. Two important factors associated with alcohol use are meaning in life and drinking patterns, such as drinking to cope with negative emotions or habitual drinking. Findings suggest that people tend to drink less when they experience greater meaning in life and when they do not use alcohol as a coping mechanism to deal with negative emotions or as an automatic response. Despite these associations, there is still a lack of comprehensive research on the interrelationships between these constructs. To address this gap, the present study was designed to achieve two primary objectives. First, we sought to examine the relationship between life meaning and alcohol consumption using a multidimensional meaning scale, replicating the study conducted by Copeland and colleagues (2022). Second, by examining the mediating effects of life meaning on the relationship between alcohol consumption and specific drinking patterns, such as coping drinking or habitual drinking, we aimed to delve deeper into mechanisms. In a cross-sectional study, participants (N=504) completed online the Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale (MEMS), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the Drinking Behaviors Profile (DBP). Results showed no significant association between the three subscales of MEMS and AUDIT. Furthermore, MEMS did not mediate the relationship between DBP and AUDIT, suggesting that meaning may not explain the relationship between drinking patterns and alcohol use in the present study. However, significant associations were found between DBP and AUDIT and between MEMS and DBP. This highlights the importance of understanding the underlying mechanisms. In developing effective treatments for alcohol dependence, the interplay between meaning, drinking to cope or habitual drinking and alcohol consumption may be important. Limitations such as sample characteristics, study designs and measurement tools should be considered.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Jong, P.J. de and Frey, M.I. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Clinical Psychology (CP) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 29 Aug 2023 11:42 |
| Last Modified: | 29 Aug 2023 11:42 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/2810 |
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