Examining Associations of Coping Strategies with Stress, Alcohol, and Substance use among College Athletes: Implications for Improving Athlete Coping

Abstract

The pressures of collegiate athletics - including commitments to training, travel, and competition - can contribute to maladaptive coping among college athletes, including alcohol and other substance use. However, few researchers have sought to understand substance use as a coping strategy in this population. We administered online surveys to 188 college athletes competing across NCAA/NJCAA divisions at six U.S. institutions to examine factors associated with substance use coping and whether specific strategies of coping were associated with risk of substance use. We found older athletes, males, and those with higher stress were more likely to use substances to cope. Higher behavioral disengagement, higher substance use coping, and lower religious coping were associated with increased likelihood of binge drinking and substance-related risk behaviors. These findings point to the importance of developing targeted interventions aimed at addressing stress and facilitating healthy coping to reduce problematic drinking and substance use among college athletes.