Live Poster Session: https://wesleyan.zoom.us/j/93679423530
Lucinda Gatsiounis
Hi! I am a sophomore at Wesleyan University from Los Angeles, CA majoring in Psychology and planning to minor in Civic Engagement. I am also a proud member of the Wesleyan Women’s Tennis team. In my spare time, I love to cook, explore new coffee shops and restaurants, spend time outdoors, and travel whenever possible.
My research reflects my interest in how behavioral patterns and social factors intersect to shape our mental health. I was particularly drawn to this topic because alcohol use is a common and socially normalized behavior, however its relationship with depression is complex and can be influenced by broader social factors (such as education). I wanted to explore how these variables interact, with the goal of better understanding both individual behavior and the social context in which it occurs.
Abstract: Alcohol use and depression have been widely studied in the U.S., but the role of broader social factors like education in shaping this relationship is often overlooked. This study examines the association between alcohol use and depression among U.S. adults, considering education as a key social factor. It examines the extent to which alcohol consumption is linked to depression, whether the probability of reporting depression increases with higher drinking levels, and whether education helps explain this relationship. Using 2024 NSDUH data from 22,966 U.S. adults, alcohol use, education, and depression were analyzed through categorical groupings, a chi-square test, and logistic regression models. Results show that higher alcohol consumption is associated with higher rates and odds of reporting depression, and this relationship remains significant even after controlling for education. Overall, the findings suggest a robust link between alcohol use and depression, highlighting the importance of both individual behaviors and broader social factors in shaping mental health outcomes.
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