Alcohol Misuse During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Stressors and Intersectionality Among Latinx Women

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated previously existing disparities and introduced new challenges for individuals living at the intersection of marginalized identities, such as Latinx women. For instance, increases in alcohol use have been noted during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet it is unclear which circumstances experienced are more likely to predict alcohol use among Latinx women. Method: The present study sought to identify the profile of intersectional factors, namely immigrant status, socioeconomic standing, and age, and COVID-19 stressors that predicted high or hazardous alcohol use among 1,227 Latinx women living in the United States. Results: The main findings, in the form of a binomial logistic regression, revealed a pattern of circumstances that differentiated high and low alcohol use including income, age, history of COVID-19 infection, disruptions in work, and emotional health difficulties. Conclusions: Overall, the present study provides an important contribution to the extant research literature by demonstrating the importance of considering syndemic effects of COVID-19 when addressing health behaviors for Latinx women.