Results of prior investigations, though mixed, suggest that alcohol consumption and harmful alcohol use increased in the general public in the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently diminished. The early trends raised considerable concerns about adverse public health consequences. Identifying personal factors associated with vulnerability or resilience to alcohol-related problems has been of great interest. This study examined the role of meaning in life, a psychosocial resource that has garnered growing attention. Questions about meaning in life may have been especially pronounced in response to the sweeping uncertainties and disruptions associated with COVID-19. We anticipated that higher levels of attained meaning would be related to diminished binge drinking among community residents during an early phase of the pandemic, after controlling for demographic and pandemic-related factors. Conversely, we expected that greater search for meaning might be tied to greater risk.

Community residents in a southern US state (N =544) participated in a cross-sectional online survey (spring 2020), during a period when restrictions were lifting but case rates were mounting. Mean age was 51.47 (14.90) years. Alcohol use was assessed using the AUDIT-C. We evaluated searching for and attained meaning using the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, a validated measure that is not confounded with well-being. As expected, in bivariate analyses attained global meaning was significantly related to diminished binge drinking (p< .003, ES = .60). Seeking meaning was not significant. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, attained global meaning remained associated with a lower likelihood of binge drinking (OR =.94, 95% CI: 88-.99, p =.02) after accounting for pandemic-related disruption in daily life and other pandemic-related and demographic variables. In more stringent ancillary analyses, we additionally controlled for other psychosocial resource variables that might contribute to resilience (i.e., social support and gratitude). Results were unchanged, further supporting the incremental validity of attained meaning.

Findings suggest that individuals who have constructed a stronger sense of meaning in life may be at lower risk for problems with binge drinking in the context of a communal disaster. Results contribute to the database regarding the potential health implications of personal meaning, and offer a platform for further research.