Introduction:

Multiple factors, including psycho­logical traits and external stressors, influence problematic drinking. This study examines whether problematic drinking can be a reaction to stress and negative emotions related to globalisation and explores the moderating role of personality in this relationship.

Material and methods:

Data were collected via an online survey of 208 university students in Poland, including 173 women (83%) and 34 men (16%). The average age of participants was 25.1 years (M = 23, SD = 7.42). The tools used to measure the variables were the Polish adaptation of the Interna­tional Personality Item Pool – Big Five Markers (IPIP-BFM), the Problem Drinking Scale (SPP) and the Polish version of the Negative Globalization Experience Scale (NGE_PL).

Results:

The results indicate significant relationships between problematic drinking and both the negative experience of globalisation and persona­lity traits, particularly extraversion and uncertainty. Regression analyses reveal that the proposed model is statistically significant (R² = 0.16, F = 3.33, p < 0.001) and that uncertainty and extraversion are predictors of problematic drinking. Additionally, the relationship between the negative experience of globalisation and problematic drinking is mode­rated by intellect and agreeableness.

Discussion:

The obtained results are in line with research confirming the biopsychosocial model of dependence, and more specifically, the interaction between environmental and intrapersonal factors; personality and experiencing the negative aspects of globalisation may be related to the higher probability of problematic drinking.

Conclusions:

These findings contribute to the understanding of how globalisation-related stress and personality traits interact in shaping alcohol-consumption behaviours. Future research should incorporate longitudinal and experimental procedures and include other maladaptive coping behaviours.