The Association between mental health symptoms and alcohol use among Chinese psychiatrists during the early statge of the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIM: To investigate the association between mental health symptoms, alcohol use, and alcohol misuse among psychiatrists in China during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: We conducted an online survey to collect mental health symptoms and alcohol use among psychiatrists in early 2020.The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-Chinese Version (DASS-21) was used to assess depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms, and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) was used to assess alcohol use.

RESULTS: In total, 3774 psychiatrists completed the survey. AUDIT-C scores were positively correlated with DASS total and depression, anxiety, and stress subscales (total: r=0.015, depression: r=0.121, anxiety: r=0.103, and stress: r=0.096, all p<0.05). Alcohol misuse was associated with male sex (OR = 4.754), cigarette smoking (OR =2.441), administrative position (OR =1.811), depression (OR =1.489), and stress (OR =1.504). Those who reported increased alcohol use during the pandemic were more likely to be male (OR = 2.174), endorse anxiety symptoms (OR =2.386), or increased stress (OR =2.402).

CONCLUSIONS: Mental health symptoms were common among psychiatrists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Depression and stress symptoms were significantly associated with alcohol misuse. Anxiety and stress symptoms were associated with reported increase in alcohol use. Though a causal relationship cannot be inferred, our findings suggest that strategies promoting healthcare professionals' mental well-being should include alcohol use.