Abstract
PurposeThe aim of the present study was to contribute to the inconsistent literature on the comorbid relationship of alcohol problems and depressive symptoms from late adolescent to emerging adulthood by accounting for their trajectories and their conjoint relationship while controlling for the influence of externalising symptoms.MethodsWe utilised data, from a longitudinal school cohort from Northern Ireland (Belfast Youth Developmental Study), over three time points where the participants were 16, 17 and 21 years of age. A total of 3118 participants were included, 1713 females and 1405 males. Second-order latent growth models were applied to examine growth trajectories. Parallel process growth models were used to assess whether growth trajectories of the symptoms were associated. Externalising symptoms were subsequently added as a covariate.ResultsAlcohol problems among males significantly increased over time but decreased in females. Depressive symptoms initially increased then decreased in both genders. Results indicated associations of the alcohol problems and depression, both initially and with time. Accounting for externalising symptoms only somewhat diminished this effect in males but not in females. An increase of initial levels of depression was associated with a decrease in alcohol problems over time. This association was only true among females. After controlling for externalising symptoms, the relationship was no longer observed.ConclusionsThe present study provides further evidence of a significant relationship of alcohol problems and depression in adolescents and further supports a small literature indicating that depression may have protective effects of alcohol problems. Finally, the study shows the importance of accounting for externalising symptoms.
Highlights
Depressive symptoms (DS) and alcohol use problems (AP) [1] are common in youth and often tend to co-occur [11, 39, 47, 50]
The best model was selected by lowest root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), highest comparative fit indices (CFI), standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) and lowest Bayesian information criteria (BIC)
A model fit with values of: CFI > 0.95, RMSEA < 0.06, SRMR < 0.08, and lowest possible BIC value suggest a good fit of the data [26]
Summary
Depressive symptoms (DS) and alcohol use problems (AP) (alcohol abuse and dependence as defined by DSM-IV) [1] are common in youth and often tend to co-occur [11, 39, 47, 50]. AP are not necessarily alcohol use disorders (AUD) as an individual’s relationship to alcohol can be problematic without s/he being diagnosed with dependence. Depression is the most common affective disorder in youth [35]. Alcohol dependence has been reported to occur in 6% of 13–18 year olds and in 14% in 18 year olds [45, 63]. Problematic alcohol use is highest among 18–24 year olds [23] and high in the UK compared to the rest of the world [64]. Among adolescents in the UK, alcohol use and mental health issues are higher among adolescents in Northern Ireland (NI) than in the rest of the UK [8, 59, 62]. A contributing factor to the increased levels in NI has been argued to be the post-conflict status of NI [14]
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