Association of alcohol consumption and frequency with loneliness: A cross-sectional study among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Yusuke Konno,
Makoto Okawara,
Ayako Hino,
Tomohisa Nagata,
Keiji Muramatsu,
Seiichiro Tateishi,
Mayumi Tsuji,
Akira Ogami,
Reiji Yoshimura,
Yoshihisa Fujino
Affiliations
Yusuke Konno
Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan; Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
Makoto Okawara
Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
Ayako Hino
Department of Mental Health, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
Tomohisa Nagata
Department of Occupational Health Practice and Management, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
Keiji Muramatsu
Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
Seiichiro Tateishi
Department of Occupational Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
Mayumi Tsuji
Department of Environmental Health, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
Akira Ogami
Department of Work Systems and Health, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
Reiji Yoshimura
Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
Yoshihisa Fujino
Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan; Corresponding author.
Background: There are increasing concerns that prevention measures against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) such as social distancing and telework are leading to loneliness and poor lifestyle habits like increased alcohol consumption. The purpose of this study was to assess whether loneliness reported among workers during the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with changes in alcohol consumption. Methods: The study comprised a cross-sectional, online survey of 27,036 workers between December 22 and 26, 2020. A questionnaire was used to assess loneliness, usual alcohol consumption and whether that consumption had changed. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated by logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 2831 (10.5%) workers indicated they had increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic. Increased alcohol consumption was significantly associated with loneliness (OR = 1.94, 95%CI 1.70–2.21). This association held true for those who indicated they drank two or more days per week (OR = 1.98 95%CI 1.71–2.30) and those who drank less than one day per week (OR = 1.51 95%CI 0.71–3.25). In contrast, there was no association between increased alcohol consumption and loneliness among those who indicated they hardly ever drank (OR = 1.22 95%CI 0.55–2.72). Conclusions: Among those drinking more than once a week, increased alcohol consumption is associated with loneliness.
