The effect of resilience on alcohol use and alcohol-related outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Gedefaw Diress Alen, Emmanuel Kuntsche, Isabella Ingram et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined observational evidence on individual resilience and alcohol consumption, risky drinking, and alcohol use disorder. It included 66 studies, many involving high school or college students and conducted in high-income countries. In a meta-analysis of 24 studies, higher resilience was associated with lower odds of alcohol-related outcomes (pooled OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.87-0.95). However, heterogeneity was substantial, and associations varied across populations, contexts, and resilience dimensions; coping- and emotion-regulation-related components showed more consistent protective associations.
Key findings
- Across 24 studies, higher resilience was associated with lower odds of alcohol-related outcomes (pooled OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.87-0.95).
- Heterogeneity in the pooled analysis was substantial (I 2 = 99.9%, p < 0.001).
- Coping- and emotion-regulation-related resilience components showed more consistent protective associations than competence- or achievement-oriented traits.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that resilience may relate to alcohol outcomes, but the association is small and not uniform across populations or resilience dimensions. Distinguishing specific components may be more informative than treating resilience as a single construct. The substantial heterogeneity and predominance of cross-sectional evidence limit conclusions about how resilience relates to later alcohol use or harms.
What to keep in mind
Most evidence was cross-sectional, and the meta-analysis showed substantial heterogeneity. Studies also varied in populations, contexts, and resilience measurement.