Demographics and five-factor personality predict alcohol risk and motives in a sample of women from Beijing

Alcohol poses a significant public health challenge worldwide, with China among the highest in production and consumption. However, little is known about Chinese women's alcohol related risks and motivations. This study aimed to fill a significant gap in understanding alcohol use within this underrepresented group, as female drinking patterns are evolving amid rapid socio-economic changes. A cross-sectional exploratory survey examined the links between demographic characteristics and Five-Factor Personality dimensions with alcohol risk and drinking motives among 673 women in Beijing. Findings showed that younger, more educated, single/divorced women reported higher, although modest, AUDIT scores and generally stronger drinking motives. Among personality traits, openness was a strong, consistent predictor, positively linked with AUDIT scores and social, coping, and enhancement motives. Extraversion positively predicted AUDIT scores and social, coping, and conformity motives, while neuroticism predicted coping and conformity motives. Lower conscientiousness predicted higher AUDIT scores, and social and enhancement motives. Agreeableness showed a mixed pattern, negatively predicting AUDIT scores and coping motives but positively predicting social motives. Findings indicate an interplay of demographic and personality factors in predicting alcohol risk and motives among Chinese women and highlight vulnerable subgroups, providing a basis for targeted interventions and research in this understudied population.