Evaluating the stress-buffering role of alcohol consumption: variation by type of event and type of symptom.

The possible stress-buffering properties of alcohol consumption are examined. Data on psychological symptoms from 1270 rural adults supported both symptom dimension (affective/somatic) and type of event (catastrophic/noncatastrophic) as possible influences upon buffering properties. Non-catastrophic events showed the greatest buffer effects from alcohol use. For depressive symptoms the greatest buffer effect was produced by occasional drinking; moderate drinking had a less pronounced effect. For somatic symptoms, buffer effects were suggested for both moderate and heavy drinkers. No buffer effects from alcohol were observed for catastrophic events.