Exploring the interplay between social support and alcohol consumption

We know that the relationship between drinking alcohol and social relationships, for example with friends, relatives, partners and others can be complex. Existing research into the relationship between social support and alcohol has tended to focus on just one element of social support (for example, being married or feeling lonely). However, we know that one person could have several different types of relationship (e.g. partner, friends, family, support groups, religious groups etc.) and different people might offer different types of support, which may contribute to that person drinking more or less alcohol.
With this study, we aim to explore which aspects of social relationships contribute to different levels of alcohol consumption and whether mental health plays a role in this relationship.
This study will involve the analysis of two national cohort studies, using multinomial logistic regression analyses and structural equation modelling to explore which aspects of social support are associated with drinking alcohol. Findings of this quantitative analysis will be combined with the findings of a qualitative study, which will use thematic analysis to explore the experiences of people who are accessing alcohol treatment services in relation to social support and alcohol consumption .
We hope that having a better understanding of the connection between social relationships and drinking alcohol will 1) help improve future public health messages about alcohol consumption, for example, by promoting activities which encourage social interactions without alcohol or with less alcohol, and 2) help to support alcohol services make improvements by highlighting the importance of social relationships in both drinking alcohol and accessing alcohol treatment.