Childhood and adolescent predictors of alcohol use and problems in adolescence and adulthood in the National Child Development Study.
OBJECTIVE
To identify childhood and adolescent predictors of alcohol use and harmful drinking in adolescence and adulthood.


METHODS
Longitudinal data from childhood to mid-life from the National Child Development Study (NCDS) were used, including predictors collected at ages 7, 11, 16 years and alcohol outcomes collected at ages 16, 23, 33 and 42 years.


METHODS
The NCDS is an ongoing longitudinal study of a cohort of 1 week's births in Britain in 1958.


METHODS
Childhood and adolescent predictors and alcohol use data from at least one adolescent or adult wave were available from 7883 females and 8126 males.


METHODS
Social background, family, academic and behavioural predictors measured at ages 7, 11 and 16 years were entered into hierarchical multiple and logistic regressions to predict quantity of alcohol use at ages 16, 23, and 33 years and harmful drinking [i.e. Cut-down, Annoyed, Guilt, Eye-opener (CAGE) questionnaire score] by age 42 years.


RESULTS
Previous drinking was controlled in final models to predict change. Drinking was heavier among those with greater childhood and adolescent social advantage (especially females), less harmonious family relationships, more social maladjustment, greater academic performance, less internalizing problems, more truancy and earlier school-leaving plans.


CONCLUSIONS
Alcohol use and problems in adulthood can be predicted by indicators of social background, adjustment and behaviour in childhood and adolescence. Results demonstrate that the early roots of adolescent and adult alcohol use behaviours begin in childhood.
Maggs
Jennifer L
JL
Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. jmaggs@psu.edu
Patrick
Megan E
ME
Feinstein
Leon
L
D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations / Q000208:ethnology; D012923:Social Class; D013997:Time Factors