Predictors Of Alcohol Problems Research Articles

Examining Childhood Behavior Problems as Predictors of Alcohol Dependency in Emerging Adulthood: A Latent Class Analysis Approach

There is limited research on within-person clustering of early-life behavioral issues and risk for alcohol use issues. This study examined the relevance of childhood behavior problem clusters for predicting alcohol problems in emerging adulthood. This study examined full behavioral profiles as predictors of alcohol-related problems, rather than individual behaviors. The Pathways to Desistance dataset comprised of 1354 justice-involved youth followed across seven years post-adjudication collected from Maricopa County, Arizona and Philadelphia Pennsylvania were analyzed. Latent class analysis was used to identify clusters of childhood behavioral problems (cheating, disturbing class, getting drunk/stoned, stealing, fighting). Regression modeling was used to examine various alcohol use outcomes. Findings indicated that a three-class model best fit the data (Low; FDC; High). Assignment to the High class predicted greater social consequences of alcohol use, but this effect was only marginally significant. No significant effects were observed for either alcohol dependence measure.

Investigating the role of emotion regulation in the relationship between childhood trauma and alcohol problems in American Indian adults

ObjectiveTo investigate whether use of cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression interact with childhood trauma burden to predict alcohol problems in a sample of American Indian adults. MethodsFour hundred and twenty-nine American Indian adults (Mean age = 37.62, 59.5 % male) completed an online survey to measure childhood trauma exposure, perceived impact of childhood trauma, trait use of expressive suppression, and alcohol problems in adulthood. ResultsTrait use of cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression interacted with childhood trauma burden to predict alcohol problems in adulthood. American Indian adults who reported high levels of childhood trauma burden who also reported frequent use of both cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression had significantly more alcohol problems compared to individuals who reported similarly high levels of childhood trauma burden who reported low use of these emotion regulation strategies. ConclusionsThese findings provide initial evidence that emotion regulation interventions which focus on different emotion regulation strategies could be an effective way to offset the risk for alcohol problems associated with childhood trauma.

Do personality characteristics predict future alcohol problems after considering current demography, substance use, and alcohol response?

Several personality traits predict future alcohol problems but also relate to demographic and substance-related variables that themselves correlate with later adverse alcohol outcomes. Few prospective studies have evaluated whether personality measures predict alcohol problems after considering current demographic and substance-related variables. Data from 414 drinkers without alcohol use disorder (AUD) from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (average age 20, 44% male) were followed over an average of 9 years. Time 1 (baseline) demography, AUD family history (FH), substance use and problems, and psychiatric histories were gathered using a standardized interview; the Level of Response (LR) to alcohol was measured by the Self-Report of the Effects of alcohol (SRE) questionnaire; and seven personality dimensions were extracted from the NEO Five-Factor Personality, Barratt, and Zuckerman scales. Analyses involved product-moment correlations of each baseline measure with the highest number of DSM-IV AUD criteria endorsed in any follow-up period, and hierarchical regression analyses evaluated whether the personality domains added significantly to the prediction of the outcome after adjusting for other baseline variables. Significant correlations with the outcome were observed for baseline age, sex, length of follow-up, AUD family history, past cannabis use, and all alcohol-related baseline variables, including SRE-based LR, but not prior mood or anxiety disorders. All personality characteristics except extraversion also correlated with outcomes. Ahierarchical regression analysis that included all relevant personality scores together demonstrated significant contributions to the prediction of future alcohol problems for demographics in Step 1; demographics and most baseline alcohol items, including response level, in Step 2; and cannabis use in Step 3; after which demographics, LR, baseline alcohol problems, cannabis use, and higher sensation seeking added significantly in Step 4. Regression for each personality domain separately revealed significant contributions to Step 4 for all personality domains except openness. Lower levels of response to alcohol added significantly to all regression analyses. Most tested personality scores and lower levels of response to alcohol contributed to predictions of later alcohol problems even after considering baseline demographic and substance use measures.

Polygenic risk score for problematic alcohol use predicts heavy drinking and alcohol use disorder symptoms in young adulthood after accounting for adolescent alcohol use and parental alcohol use disorder

BackgroundGenome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified hundreds of loci associated with alcohol-related traits. GWAS permit the calculation of polygenic risk scores (PRS), which aggregate genetic risk for a trait across the genome. To evaluate the usefulness of a PRS for problematic alcohol use (PAU)—which subsumes alcohol use disorder (AUD) and alcohol-related problems—we tested whether this PRS predicted heavy drinking and alcohol problems after accounting for family history of AUD and prior drinking history, robust and established predictors of PAU. MethodsParticipants (N=665) were European-ancestry members of the Michigan Longitudinal Study, a prospective family study with high rates (65%) of parental AUD. Participants reported their frequency of alcohol use, maximum drinks consumed in a 24-hour period, and alcohol use problems at four assessments in adolescence and young adulthood (11–29 years old). We used polygenic prediction via Bayesian regression and continuous shrinkage priors to create a PAU PRS using summary statistics from a meta-GWAS of PAU. ResultsAfter adjusting for demographic covariates, parental AUD, and drinking and alcohol use problems in early and mid/late adolescence, the PAU PRS was significantly associated with alcohol-related problems in young adulthood (β=.08, p=.047; R2=0.6%). The PAU PRS also had a significant indirect effect on alcohol use problems in young adulthood through earlier drinking and alcohol use problems (β=.02, p=.03). ConclusionsThe PAU PRS predicted alcohol problems in young adulthood after accounting for parental history of AUD and alcohol use in adolescence, providing evidence that genetic data uniquely inform the etiology of alcohol problems.

Binge Drinking and Alcohol Problems Among Moderate Average-Level Drinkers

A significant amount of binge drinking among adults escapes public health scrutiny because it occurs among individuals who drink at a moderate average level. This observational study examined the role of a binge pattern of drinking in predicting alcohol problems among moderate drinkers in a U.S. national sample of adults. Participants were 1,229 current drinkers aged ≥30 years from 2 waves of the study of Midlife Development in the United States, with a 9-year time lag (2004-2015) (analyzed in 2021‒2022). Negative binomial regression analyses were used to examine the number of alcohol problems, and binary logistic regression analyses were used to examine multiple (≥2) alcohol problems. Independent of the average level of drinking, binge drinking was linked with an almost 3 times increase in the number of concurrent alcohol problems and a 40% increase in the number of alcohol problems prospectively 9 years later. Moderate average level drinkers accounted for most cases of binge drinking and multiple alcohol problems. Among moderate drinkers, binge drinking was linked with a close to 5 times increase in concurrent multiple alcohol problems and a >2 times increase in multiple alcohol problems prospectively 9 years later. These results substantially broaden an increasing recognition that binge drinking is a public health concern among adults. Moderate average-level drinkers should be included in efforts to reduce alcohol problems in adults. These findings are applicable to primary and secondary prevention of alcohol problems with the potential to advance population health.

Discrimination and alcohol problems among heavy drinking HIV-positive men who have sex with men: The buffering effect of a brief Motivational Intervention to reduce alcohol use

IntroductionHeavy alcohol use negatively impacts health outcomes among people with HIV and is especially prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM). Alcohol problems among MSM with HIV may occur, in part, due to increased stress caused by experiences of identity-based discrimination, such as heterosexism, HIV stigma, and racism. The current study examined (a) whether MSM with HIV who experience greater identity-based discrimination reported higher levels of alcohol problems over time in the absence of alcohol intervention, and (b) whether motivational interviewing (MI) to reduce alcohol use would attenuate the effects of discrimination on alcohol problems. MethodsData came from a clinical trial in which MSM with HIV were randomized into brief MI for alcohol harm reduction [n = 89] or an HIV treatment as usual assessment only control [TAU; n = 91]. Alcohol use and problems were assessed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. ResultsGeneralized Estimating Equations found a significant interaction between MI and baseline identity-based discrimination, such that in those not receiving MI, discrimination prospectively predicted alcohol problems over time (B = 0.065, SE = 0.018, p < .001, 95% Wald CI [.030– 0.100]). In those receiving MI, discrimination did not have an effect (B = − 0.002, SE = 0.131, p = .987, 95% Wald CI [− 0.258 to 0.254]). ConclusionsEven without explicitly targeting experiences of identity-based discrimination, a person-centered intervention, like MI, appears to mitigate the negative impact of identity-based discrimination on alcohol-related problems

Patterns of polyvictimization predict stimulant use, alcohol and marijuana problems in a large cohort of sexual minority and gender minority youth assigned male at birth.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) and gender minorities (GM) are more likely to have substance problems and experience various forms of victimization compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. Polyvictimization allows for the assessment of the combined impact of multiple forms of victimization on health. This study examines the effects of polyvictimization patterns on stimulant use, alcohol and marijuana problems among a large cohort study. The sample was collected between 2015 and 2019 (n = 1,202). Mean age was 22. The sample was racially diverse (34.4% Black, 29.0% Hispanic/Latinx, 25.8% white, 5.9% other racial identity), 92.4% of the sample were MSM and 7.6% of the sample were GM. Using latent class analysis five qualitatively different polyvictimization classes were identified. Associations between these classes and stimulant use, alcohol and marijuana problems were examined using negative binomial and logistic regressions. Polyvictimization class significantly predicted alcohol problems and cannabis problems, at baseline as well as methamphetamine, and cocaine use at both time points. The polyvictimization profiles that were characterized by intimate partner violence (IPV), childhood sexual abuse (CSA), and high victimization across types were associated with substance outcomes at baseline. The polyvictimization class that was characterized by report of IPV was associated with cocaine use at 6 month follow-up. The polyvictimization class that was characterized by CSA was associated with methamphetamine use at 6 month follow-up. Researchers should examine the effects of victimization experiences more holistically and develop substance interventions that take multiple forms of victimization experiences into account. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Daily impulsivity is associated with alcohol use and problems via coping motives, but not enhancement motives

BackgroundThe present study sought to determine daily associations between impulsivity, coping and enhancement motives, alcohol use, and alcohol problems in the natural environment. MethodsParticipants were 89 (47 women) heavy drinking, college students from a university in the southeastern U.S. who completed a 14-day ecological momentary assessment study. Each day, participants completed three random reports of momentary impulsivity and indicators of drinking motives and two additional reports at the beginning and end of any drinking occasions. ResultsA series of multilevel mediation models were tested to examine indirect effects from impulsivity to alcohol use and alcohol problems through coping and enhancement motives. At the within-person level, results revealed that greater than usual impulsivity experienced prior to drinking was associated with greater coping motives, and this in turn was associated with greater number of drinks consumed that day (all p values <0.001). A similar indirect effect was revealed when impulsivity predicted alcohol problems that day through coping motives (p values range: <0.001 to .01). Greater enhancement motives than usual were associated with greater number of drinks consumed and alcohol problems experienced that day (p values range: <0.001 to.001), but associations with impulsivity were nonsignificant. ConclusionsFindings supported daily fluctuations in drinking to cope motives as a salient mechanism explaining the link between daily impulsivity and level of alcohol use and alcohol problems. Fluctuations in daily impulsivity were associated with changes in motivations to drink which may benefit efforts aimed at reducing alcohol harms among young adults.

Reciprocal longitudinal associations between anxiety sensitivity and alcohol consumption/problems across adolescence: Examining anxiety as a mediator and race/ethnicity as a moderator

The conditions and populations for which anxiety sensitivity (AS; i.e., the tendency to interpret unpleasant physiological sensations as dangerous) relates to adolescent alcohol use is unclear. This study tested latent-variable cross-lagged panel modeling of AS-alcohol relations in a racially/ethnically heterogenous longitudinal youth cohort (N = 3396; 53.4% female, 45.8% Latinx) assessed annually across high school. Anxiety and race/ethnicity were tested as mediators and moderators, respectively, of AS-alcohol associations. AS prospectively predicted alcohol problems (β′s = 0.05–0.07) but not alcohol consumption (β′s = 0.02–0.04) across high school. Alcohol problems predicted AS at the end (β = 0.09) but not beginning (β′s = 0.01–0.03) of high school and alcohol consumption predicted lower AS at the beginning (β = −0.06) but not end (β′s = −0.02-0.01) of high school. Anxiety mediated AS's predictive effects on alcohol problems (βindirect's = 0.01, 95% CI [0.003, 0.03]) across high school. Race/ethnicity did not moderate interrelations of AS, anxiety, and alcohol outcomes. These findings lend support to the risk factor model of AS on alcohol problems (but not consumption) through anxiety and the scar/complication model whereby alcohol problems may exacerbate AS later in adolescence. Addressing reciprocal risk processes between AS, anxiety, and alcohol problems warrant consideration in adolescent behavioral health promotion for various racial/ethnic populations.

Distinct paths to alcohol problems: Impacts of childhood maltreatment, attachment insecurity, and interpersonal problems

Childhood maltreatment is a strong risk factor for increased alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. One possible explanation for these associations is the influence of dysfunctional attachment styles and interpersonal problems in adulthood. Individuals who have experienced childhood maltreatment are likely to develop maladaptive interpersonal styles due to insecure attachment. Maladaptive interpersonal styles may increase emotional distress, which in turn, can make these individuals vulnerable to alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. Using data from 508 undergraduate students, this study examined the associations between three types of childhood maltreatment (i.e., sexual abuse, punishment that included physical abuse, and a negative home atmosphere that included neglect), alcohol use, and alcohol-related problems via insecure attachment and interpersonal problems. The results showed that punishment predicted alcohol problems via avoidant attachment and selfish interpersonal style. Sexual abuse and negative home atmosphere predicted alcohol consumption through anxious attachment and selfless interpersonal style. In addition, sexual abuse directly predicted alcohol problems. These findings provide new insights for the field of childhood maltreatment and addiction literature.

Distress-Related Internalizing Symptoms Interact With Externalizing Symptoms to Predict Alcohol Problems in an Inpatient Adolescent Sample.

Previous research has yielded equivocal findings regarding whether internalizing symptoms are risk factors for adolescent hazardous alcohol use (AU), specifically in the presence of externalizing symptoms. This may be due to the type of internalizing symptoms examined (ie, distress vs fear), and the use of primarily normative rather than clinical samples. Thus, we tested internalizing and externalizing symptom interactions as they relate to adolescent hazardous AU in a high-risk, clinical sample of adolescents. Adolescents (N = 101; 66% female; Mage = 15) were recruited from an inpatient psychiatric unit and assessed for current symptoms. Hypotheses were tested by running a series of moderation models regressing hazardous AU on a set of internalizing symptoms (ie, depression, generalized anxiety disorder [GAD], social anxiety, separation anxiety, school avoidance, and panic), each interacting with externalizing symptoms. We observed significant interactions between several internalizing symptoms (depression, GAD, and panic symptoms) and externalizing symptoms predicting hazardous AU. These internalizing symptoms were unrelated to AU at low and average levels of externalizing symptoms, but were positively related to AU at high levels of externalizing symptoms. In this clinical sample, distress-related internalizing symptomatology was associated with risk for, and not protection against, hazardous AU, but only when accompanied by high externalizing symptoms. Findings suggest that whether or not internalizing symptoms operate synergistically with externalizing symptoms to predict hazardous AU depends on the subdomain of internalizing symptoms (distress vs fear) and perhaps the type of sample (ie, clinical vs community). (Am J Addict 2019:00:00-00).

Longitudinal Associations between Sleep, Intrusive Thoughts, and Alcohol Problems Among Veterans.

Research suggests bidirectional associations between symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sleep disturbance, both of which have been associated with alcohol problems. However, few studies have examined the interplay of these conditions in predicting alcohol problems over time. This study tested 2 competing models: (i) sleep disturbance as a mediator of the association between intrusive thoughts about trauma and alcohol problems and (ii) intrusion symptoms as the mediator of the sleep/alcohol problem association. Veterans (N=325, 93% male, 81% White) completed assessments at baseline, 6months, and 12months as part of a larger observational study. Zero-inflated-negative binomial models were used to examine indirect effects of baseline predictors on (i) yes/no likelihood and (ii) number of 12-month alcohol problems through 6-month mediators. Models controlled for past-year cannabis use and drinks consumed per week at baseline. The only significant predictor of alcohol problem likelihood was baseline drinking quantity. Baseline PTSD intrusions had a direct effect on number of alcohol problems at 12months, with no indirect (mediated) effect through 6-month sleep disturbance. In the competing model, baseline sleep disturbance had a marginally significant direct effect on 12-month alcohol problems, with a significant indirect effect through 6-month PTSD intrusions. PTSD intrusions are associated with more alcohol problems and help explain the long-term association between sleep and alcohol problems among veterans. Because sleep disturbances are associated with more intrusive thoughts about trauma, we recommend that treatments targeting sleep in the context of PTSD and alcohol use include a cognitive component.

Externalizing and internalizing symptoms in childhood and adolescence and the risk of alcohol use disorders in young adulthood: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies

Evidence suggests that externalizing and internalizing symptoms are expressed early in life and are associated with problematic drinking in young adulthood. However, few studies have examined their role during childhood and adolescence in predicting alcohol problems later in life. To examine the role of childhood and adolescent externalizing and internalizing symptoms in predicting alcohol use disorders in young adulthood. We searched five electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Sciences and Embase) for studies which diagnosed alcohol use disorders through either the International Classification of Diseases or American Psychiatric Association - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria and followed up children or adolescents into the transition to young adulthood. We performed a meta-analysis and obtained pooled odds ratio estimates with 95% confidence intervals using random-effects models. A total of 12 longitudinal studies met eligibility criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. All measured the outcome using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria. The majority were of good quality and were conducted in the United States. A total of 19,407 participants (50% female) were included in this meta-analysis. Of these, n = 2337 (12%) had diagnoses of alcohol use disorders/alcohol dependence. Participant ages ranged from birth to 36 years. Internalizing symptoms increased the risk of young adult alcohol use disorders by 21% (odds ratio = 1.21; 95% confidence interval = [1.05, 1.39]), with no strong evidence of publication bias. Subgroup analysis suggested significantly lower heterogeneity than for externalizing studies. Externalizing symptoms increased the risk of alcohol use disorders by 62% (odds ratio = 1.62, 95% confidence interval = [1.39, 1.90]). We found some evidence of publication bias and significant heterogeneity in the studies. Our findings highlight the contribution of early behavioural problems to the development of alcohol use disorders in young adulthood and the need for timely scrutiny of and intervention on early behavioural problems.

Religious and spiritual struggles, religiousness, and alcohol problems among undergraduates

Theoretically, religion/spirituality may protect against alcohol problems or facilitate recovery. However, challenges can arise in religious/spiritual life that may contribute to or complicate alcohol problems. Emerging adults often experience difficult transitions from family environments to independent membership in academic communities straddling the legal drinking age boundary. Among underage undergraduates, we hypothesized that religious/spiritual struggles predict more alcohol problems independently of distress and religiousness, and religiousness independently predicts fewer alcohol problems. Our survey of two U.S. universities (total N = 2525) supported these hypotheses. Structural equation models revealed positive correlations between alcohol problems and all six religious/spiritual struggles (divine, demonic, interpersonal, moral, ultimate meaning, doubt), but only moral struggle predicted alcohol problems moderately and independently of religiousness, distress, gender, and non/white ethnicity. Evidence also emerged for negative correlations between religious/spiritual struggles and drinking as it varies independently of alcohol problems. We recommend that alcoholism counselors address clients’ religious/spiritual struggles.

The Relationship Between Regional Cerebral Blood Flow Estimates and Alcohol Problems at 5-Year Follow-Up: The Role of Level of Response.

Acute alcohol consumption is associated with temporarily increased regional cerebral blood flow (CBF). The extent of this increase appears to be moderated by individual differences in the level of response (LR) to alcohol's subjective effects. The low LR phenotype is a known risk factor for the development of alcohol problems. This study investigates how the low LR phenotype relates to the relationship between alcohol-related changes in CBF and alcohol problems 5years later. Young adults (ages 18 to 25) were selected based on their LR to alcohol and underwent a neuroimaging protocol including arterial spin labeling and functional scans. These participants were recontacted ~5years later and assessed on alcohol outcomes. A final sample of 107 subjects (54 low and 53 high LR subjects) was included in the analyses. Whole-brain analysis revealed 5 clusters of significant alcohol-induced, versus placebo-induced, CBF changes that were consistent with a previous report. Peak alcohol-placebo CBF response was extracted from these regions and, along with the LR group, submitted to a hierarchical linear regression predicting alcohol problems. Analyses controlled for age, sex, and baseline alcohol problems. In the regression analysis, greater alcohol-placebo CBF difference in the right middle/superior/inferior frontal gyri and bilateral anterior cingulate gyri clusters predicted greater future alcohol problems for the low LR group, whereas this relationship was not found to be significant in the high LR group. This study demonstrates a clinically important relationship between CBF and future alcohol problems, particularly in individuals with a low LR phenotype. These initial results help to elucidate the neurobiological pathways involved in the development of alcohol use disorders for individuals with low LR.

Perfectionism, negative motives for drinking, and alcohol-related problems: A 21-day diary study

We explored links between two perfectionism facets and alcohol-related problems. We predicted perfectionistic cognitions and nondisplay of imperfection would indirectly predict alcohol problems through negative affect, coping motives, and conformity motives, but would be unrelated to quantity of alcohol consumption. Participants included 263 young adult drinkers collected from two sites using self-report surveys with a 21-day, once-per-day measurement. Participants were mostly Caucasian (78.3%), female (79.5%), and young (M = 21.37, SD = 1.89). Data were analyzed using multilevel structural equation modeling. Nondisplay of imperfection (but not perfectionistic cognitions) had a serial indirect effect on alcohol-related problems through negative affect, followed by conformity motives. Other findings varied across analyses (fixed vs. random) and analysis level (between vs. within). Open Data/Methods: https://osf.io/gduy4.

Depressive symptoms as predictors of alcohol problem domains and reinforcement among heavy drinking college students.

Heavy drinking among college students in the United States is common and results in a wide range of problems. Symptoms of depression are also common among college students and may exacerbate problems associated with heavy drinking, but to date most studies have been cross sectional and relied on an aggregate measure of alcohol problems. Further, depressive symptoms may also predict other elements of risk among heavy drinkers, including greater experience of substance-related reinforcement, and diminished experience of substance-free reinforcement. The current study examines depressive symptoms as a prospective predictor of changes in alcohol problem domains and reward variables in a sample of heavy drinking college students. Heavy drinking college students (N = 138) completed a survey assessing depressive symptoms, alcohol problems, and reinforcement at baseline and after a 12-month follow-up period. Multiple regressions examined the utility of depressive symptoms (DASS-21) in predicting alcohol problems, substance-related reinforcement, and substance-free reinforcement at the 12-month follow-up after controlling for baseline drinking level and the baseline level of the relevant outcome variable. Baseline depressive symptoms predicted 12-month alcohol problems related to impaired control (i.e., drinking more than planned), self-perception, and self-care. Depressive symptoms also predicted lower 12-month substance-free, but not substance-related, reinforcement. Finally, change in depressive symptoms was associated with total alcohol problems, impaired control, self-perception, self-care, academic/occupational, and physiological dependence problems at 12-month follow-up. Heavy drinkers with depressive symptoms may benefit from interventions targeting alcohol problems that also increase access to and engagement in rewarding alternative activities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

"Not the same old thing: Establishing the unique contribution of drinking identity as a predictor of alcohol consumption and problems over time": Correction to Lindgren et al. (2016).

Reports an error in "Not the same old thing: Establishing the unique contribution of drinking identity as a predictor of alcohol consumption and problems over time" by Kristen P. Lindgren, Jason J. Ramirez, Cecilia C. Olin and Clayton Neighbors (Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 2016[Sep], Vol 30[6], 659-671). In the article, in Table 2, the values reported for the Implicit ID Time interaction for the model predicting alcohol problems, when controlling for baseline consumption for the count portion of the model are incorrect. The correct values are present in the erratum. The online version of this article has been corrected (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2016-35226-001.) Drinking identity-how much individuals view themselves as drinkers-is a promising cognitive factor that predicts problem drinking. Implicit and explicit measures of drinking identity have been developed (the former assesses more reflexive/automatic cognitive processes; the latter more reflective/controlled cognitive processes): each predicts unique variance in alcohol consumption and problems. However, implicit and explicit identity's utility and uniqueness as predictors relative to cognitive factors important for problem drinking screening and intervention has not been evaluated. Thus, the current study evaluated implicit and explicit drinking identity as predictors of consumption and problems over time. Baseline measures of drinking identity, social norms, alcohol expectancies, and drinking motives were evaluated as predictors of consumption and problems (evaluated every 3 months over 2 academic years) in a sample of 506 students (57% female) in their first or second year of college. Results found that baseline identity measures predicted unique variance in consumption and problems over time. Further, when compared to each set of cognitive factors, the identity measures predicted unique variance in consumption and problems over time. Findings were more robust for explicit versus implicit identity and in models that did not control for baseline drinking. Drinking identity appears to be a unique predictor of problem drinking relative to social norms, alcohol expectancies, and drinking motives. Intervention and theory could benefit from including and considering drinking identity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Negative Urgency Mediates the Relation between Genetically-Influenced Serotonin Functioning and Alcohol Problems.

Serotonin (5-HT) functioning is associated with alcohol problems. However, the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. The current study tested whether five separate dimensions of impulsivity (UPPS-P) mediated the relation between a polygenic score indexing 5-HT functioning and alcohol problems and whether any of these paths were moderated by age. Results showed that a 5-HT polygenic score predicted alcohol problems indirectly through negative urgency, but not any other facet of impulsivity. The 5-HT polygenic score also directly predicted alcohol problems. No age moderation was found. Findings suggest that negative urgency might be one important mechanism underlying the relation between genetically-influenced 5-HT functioning and alcohol problems. However, genetically-influenced 5-HT functioning likely influences alcohol problems through additional mechanisms. More broadly, results suggest that the previously observed transdiagnostic nature of 5-HT functioning on diverse types of psychopathology might be, in part, explained by its effect on negative urgency.

Stressor-related drinking and future alcohol problems among university students.

Research using daily designs has shown that daily stressors (i.e., conflict, school/work demands) are associated with alcohol use, and that the strength of within-person links between stressors and alcohol use differs from person to person. However, to our knowledge no research has tested whether individual differences in stressor-related drinking-characterized by within-person associations between daily stressors and drinking-predict risk for future alcohol problems, a relationship suggested by theoretical models. The current study used an Internet-based daily diary design among 744 university students to (a) examine the day-level relationship between stressors and alcohol use during the first 3 years of college, and (b) test whether individual differences in the stressor-drinking relationship, captured by person-specific slopes generated from multilevel models, predicted alcohol problems as measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) in the fourth year of college. Results showed that students were more likely to drink on days with many versus fewer stressors, and on drinking days, students consumed more drinks with each additional stressor they experienced. Next, using individual multilevel modeling slopes as predictors, we found that students whose odds of drinking alcohol increased more sharply on high- versus low-stressor days (steeper slopes) had more severe AUDIT alcohol problems in the fourth year than students whose drinking odds increased less sharply (flatter slopes). Findings highlight the role of daily stressors in college student drinking and suggest stressor-related drinking as a risk factor for future alcohol problems. (PsycINFO Database Record