Association of adolescent symptoms of depression and anxiety with alcohol use disorders in young adulthood: findings from the Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study

Abstract

To examine the association of adolescent depression and anxiety symptoms with alcohol abuse or dependence in young adulthood. Cohort study of the health and wellbeing of adolescents and young adults in Victoria, assessed at 8waves (periods) of data collection, from age 14to 24years, between 1992and 2003. Young people who participated in the cohort study at least once during the six adolescent assessment points (conducted 6months apart, from age 14to 17years), at least once during young adulthood and who were alive at Wave 8(n=1758). Alcohol abuse or dependence assessed using the alcohol and substance abuse modules of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview at age 24years. Adolescents with moderate to high levels of depression and anxiety symptoms (measured by the revised Clinical Interview Schedule) had an increased risk of alcohol abuse or dependence in young adulthood, compared with young adults with low levels of adolescent depression and anxiety symptoms, after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Risk was higher for those with symptoms at more than two adolescent assessment points (odds ratio [OR] 1.9; 95% CI, 1.7-2.0) and for those with symptoms at one or two assessment points (OR 1.3; 95% CI, 1.2-1.4), compared with those with no above-threshold symptoms in adolescence. Adolescents with depression and anxiety symptoms are at increased risk for alcohol use disorders into young adulthood. They warrant vigilance from primary care providers in relation to alcohol use well into adulthood.