Abstract
BackgroundWe investigated the associations between symptoms of anxiety and depression and alcohol drinking behavior among adolescents, by focusing on the importance of symptom load, as well as gender differences.MethodsData was derived from a cross-sectional school based survey among adolescents in upper secondary schools in Norway. Among other variables adolescents reported on symptoms of anxiety and depression, time of onset and extent of alcohol use. The sample consisted of 6238 adolescents aged 16–18 years. We estimated prevalence of alcohol drinking behaviors in relation to severity of symptoms of anxiety and depression.ResultsHigher levels of depression symptoms were associated with earlier onset of alcohol use, more frequent consumption and intoxications. The associations between anxiety and depression symptoms and early drinking onset were stronger for girls than for boys. Higher levels of anxiety symptoms were only associated with alcohol consumption among girls.ConclusionsBoys and girls with depressive symptoms and girls with anxiety symptoms are more likely to have unhealthy patterns of alcohol drinking. Preventive strategies at all levels could possibly profit from a common approach to mental health and alcohol use, in particular for girls in mid-adolescence.
Highlights
We investigated the associations between symptoms of anxiety and depression and alcohol drinking behavior among adolescents, by focusing on the importance of symptom load, as well as gender differences
Increased levels of depressive symptoms were associated with early onset of alcohol consumption, frequent consumption and frequent intoxication in both girls and boys
The largest difference between girls according to anxiety symptom load was observed for early onset of alcohol consumption, where girls in the fourth quartile had a 10 percentage points higher
Summary
We investigated the associations between symptoms of anxiety and depression and alcohol drinking behavior among adolescents, by focusing on the importance of symptom load, as well as gender differences. Increasing levels of mental symptoms and alcohol consumption are each considered to be features of normal development during adolescence (defined by WHO as the period from ages 10 to 19) [1, 2]. Both factors carry an increased risk of developing health problems later in life [3]. The combination of anxiety and depression symptoms and harmful alcohol consumption is commonly observed in young people [4], among those who do not satisfy the diagnostic criteria of neither mental disorders nor alcohol abuse [5]. Results from logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the predicted prevalences of early onset of alcohol drinking, frequent consumption and frequent intoxications according to symptom levels
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
