title: Testing a level of response to alcohol-based model of heavy drinking and alcohol problems in 1,905 17-year-olds.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The low level of response (LR) to alcohol is one of several genetically influenced characteristics that increase the risk for heavy drinking and alcohol problems. Efforts to understand how LR operates through additional life influences have been carried out primarily in modest-sized U.S.-based samples with limited statistical power, raising questions about generalizability and about the importance of components with smaller effects. This study evaluates a full LR-based model of risk in a large sample of adolescents from the United Kingdom.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional structural equation models were used for the approximate first half of the age 17 subjects assessed by the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, generating data on 1,905 adolescents (mean age 17.8 years, 44.2% boys). LR was measured with the Self-Rating of the Effects of Alcohol Questionnaire, outcomes were based on drinking quantities and problems, and standardized questionnaires were used to evaluate peer substance use, alcohol expectancies, and using alcohol to cope with stress.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this young and large U.K. sample, a low LR related to more adverse alcohol outcomes both directly and through partial mediation by all 3 additional key variables (peer substance use, expectancies, and coping). The models were similar in boys and girls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results confirm key elements of the hypothesized LR-based model in a large U.K. sample, supporting some generalizability beyond U.S. groups. They also indicate that with enough statistical power, multiple elements contribute to how LR relates to alcohol outcomes and reinforce the applicability of the model to both genders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92037, USA. mschuckit@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: Marc A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Schuckit
authors.forename: Tom L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heron
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hickman
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Macleod
authors.forename: Glyn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Joseph R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hibbeln
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zuccolo
authors.forename: Laura L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Davey-Smith
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003469:Culture; D016208:Databases, Factual; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009042:Motivation; D010379:Peer Group; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012306:Risk; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol