The Association between Marital Status and Alcohol Consumption

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Faculty Sponsor: Robert Kabacoff

Live Poster Session: Zoom Link

Abby Tibebe

Abby is a Sophomore from Bethesda, MD. She is planning to major in Business Analytics as a University Major, where she aims to combine her interests in statistical analysis, technology, and problem-solving.

Abstract:
This study investigates the relationship between marital status and alcohol consumption, focusing on differences in drinking behaviors across marital groups. Using data from Wave 5 of the Add Health study, the analysis explores whether divorced or single individuals consume more alcohol compared to those who are married. Alcohol consumption was measured in terms of the number of drinks per occasion and the frequency of drinking days in the past month. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and linear regression, revealed significant differences in drinking behaviors by marital status, with single individuals reporting higher alcohol consumption per occasion on average. These findings suggest that marital status may play a role in shaping drinking patterns, potentially influenced by social, emotional, and lifestyle factors. Future research should explore the mechanisms underlying these differences and consider other variables such as age, income, and stress as potential contributors.