Maternal alcohol use disorders and depression in emerging adulthood: Examining the relevance of social ties, childhood adversity, and socioeconomic status

Abstract

A number of recent studies have found that alcohol use disorders (AUDs) among parents are associated with higher levels of depression in their adult children. However, these studies have not considered whether several important social conditions in childhood help explain this association. Using a large sample of young adults from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Youth 1979 Children and Young Adults (NLSY79-CY), this study examines changes in the relationship between maternal AUDs and depression in emerging adulthood after controlling for three clusters of variables related to childhood social ties, adversity, and socioeconomic status. After models adjust for these factors, the association is reduced, but maternal AUDs remain a robust predictor of depression in emerging adulthood. These findings highlight the intergenerational consequences of AUDs and the need to develop interventions that supplement children's social support and economic circumstances.