The role of Somatic Symptoms in the relationship between Alcohol Use and Quality of Life in Young Adults: A Mediation Analysis

Description

Objective. Somatic symptoms (SSs) are physical symptoms which arise from various aetiologies. This study investigated if somatic symptoms (SSs) mediate the relationship between alcohol use and quality of life (QOL) in young adults.
Methods. This was a quantitative cross-sectional between-subjects study. Data were collected from young adults aged 18-29 via an online survey (N = 235; Female = 63.4%). Alcohol use was measured using the Young Person’s Alcohol Questionnaire–Consumption, QOL by the WHOQOL-BREF, and SSs via the Somatic Symptom Scale-8. The mediation effect of SSs on the relationship between alcohol use and QOL was tested using ordinary least squares regression.
Results. The indirect effect of alcohol consumption on QOL via SSs was significant (b = -0.52, SE = 0.15, Bootstrapped 95% CI [-0.91, -0.11]), indicating a mediation effect. This was an indirect-only mediation, as the direct effect of alcohol use on QOL was not significant (b = 0.11, SE = 0.29, p = .705).
Conclusion. These results indicate a significant mediation effect by SSs on the relationship between alcohol use and QOL, providing insights into how alcohol use affects the physical health of young adults.

Period	13 Nov 2024 → 15 Nov 2024
Event title	The Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) Annual Conference 2024
Event type	Conference
Location	Athlone, IrelandShow on map
Degree of Recognition	National