Upward social comparison on network and alcohol dependence in college students: the chain mediation impacts of relative deprivation and anxiety

BMC Psychol. 2024 Dec 18;12(1):756. doi: 10.1186/s40359-024-02259-7.

Abstract

Background: Nowadays, contemporary society has placed growing emphasis on the alcohol drinking behavior of college students.

Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design to assess the relationship between upward social comparison (USC) on network and college students drinking behavior, while exploring the mediation impact of relative deprivation (RD) and anxiety. A total of 329 college students (Mage = 21.37 years old; 16.11% women) were enrolled to complete a set of questionnaires evaluating USC on network, RD, anxiety and alcohol dependence.

Results: The results showed that (1) USC on network, RD, anxiety and alcohol dependence were significantly, positively correlated in pairs, and (2) RD and anxiety exhibited a significant chain mediating role between USC on network and alcohol dependence, and USC on network positively predicted alcohol dependence via the mediating effect of anxiety.

Conclusions: This study reveals that USC on network positively predicts alcohol dependence via the mediating effect of anxiety, and that RD and anxiety play a chain-mediating role between USC on network and alcohol dependence.

Keywords: Alcohol dependence; Anxiety; Relative deprivation; Upward social comparison on network.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcohol Drinking in College / psychology
  • Alcoholism* / epidemiology
  • Alcoholism* / psychology
  • Anxiety* / psychology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Students* / psychology
  • Students* / statistics & numerical data
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Universities
  • Young Adult