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Determinants of Sustained Binge Drinking in Young Adults
Author(s) -
Wellman Robert J.,
Contreras Gisèle A.,
Dugas Erika N.,
O'Loughlin Erin K.,
O'Loughlin Jennifer L.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/acer.12365
Subject(s) - binge drinking , novelty seeking , young adult , impulsivity , logistic regression , medicine , demography , sensation seeking , psychology , injury prevention , clinical psychology , poison control , gerontology , environmental health , big five personality traits , personality , social psychology , sociology
Background Binge drinking occurs frequently among young adults, posing risks to health and safety. Little is known, however, about which drinkers continue to binge later into adulthood. We sought to identify predictors of sustained binge drinking behaviors in young adulthood. Methods Participants from the Nicotine Dependence in Teens ( NDIT ) cohort ( n = 609, 53% female) completed self‐report questionnaires in 20 survey cycles ( SC s) during secondary school between 1999 and 2005, and in 2 postsecondary school SC s in 2007 to 2008 ( SC 21; M age = 20 years) and 2011 to 2012 ( SC 22; M age = 24 years). Participants reporting past‐year binge drinking in both SC s 21 and 22 were categorized as sustainers ( n = 517). Using multivariable logistic regression, we investigated 25 potential predictors of sustained binge drinking, binge‐drinking frequency, and change in frequency over time among sustainers. Results Compared with stoppers, sustainers (85% of participants) were more likely to be younger, male, and to have no college/university education. Sustainers began drinking alcohol and binge drinking earlier, drank at least monthly during more secondary school grades, binged more frequently at age 20, and scored higher on impulsivity and novelty seeking in adolescence. Among sustainers, frequent binge drinkers were more likely to be male, to be nonstudents, to score higher on novelty seeking, and to have reported more depressive symptoms in adolescence. Sustainers who decelerated their binge frequency between SC s 21 and 22 were more likely to be female, to have achieved a higher level of education, and to report more depressive symptoms in SC 21. Conclusions The determinants of sustained binge drinking are similar to predictors of binge drinking reported in the literature. Early identification of, and intervention with, youth who are impulsive, inclined toward novelty seeking, and who report higher levels of early sub clinical depressive symptoms might forestall their involvement in risky alcohol use.