Semester of Graduation

Spring 2026

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

Alcohol use is highly prevalent among college students in the United States and is associated with a variety of negative consequences. Within this emerging adult age group, individuals begin to place a higher importance on becoming involved in romantic relationships, which are associated with protective effects regarding alcohol use and related problems. Given the importance of romantic relationships in this demographic, it is important to identify the underlying dynamics of relationships that may play a role in this buffering effect for hazardous drinking. The experience of daily stressors has been identified as one risk factor for alcohol use and related problems. One such relationship dynamic that may help couples cope with stress is dyadic coping, the process through which couples cope within the relationship in the presence of external stressors. Dyadic coping can take the form of both positive (emotion-focused, problem-focused, or delegated) or negative (superficial, ambivalent, or hostile) coping. The current study sought to examine the associations of dyadic coping with alcohol use and related problems within the context of non-married committed relationships. Undergraduate students in committed, heterosexual romantic relationships reporting past-month alcohol use (n = 356, dyads = 178) provided ratings of positive and negative dyadic coping, alcohol use, and alcohol-related problems. Positive dyadic coping was negatively correlated with eBAC after controlling for individual coping skills and negative affect. Women’s positive dyadic coping was significantly negatively associated with own eBAC but not alcohol-related problems. Men’s negative dyadic coping was significantly positively associated with own alcohol-related problems but not own eBAC. No partner effects were statistically significant for negative dyadic coping on eBAC or problems. Findings highlight the importance of dyadic coping processes and differential roles of these processes on alcohol behaviors by sex, as psychosocial protective factors in romantically-involved individuals who consume alcohol.

Date

3-27-2026

Committee Chair

Buckner, Julia D.

LSU Acknowledgement

1

LSU Accessibility Acknowledgment

1

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Available for download on Friday, March 19, 2027

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