title: [Abstainers: a risk group?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Abstinence from alcohol has been associated with higher mortality than a moderate consumption of alcohol. However, there is evidence to indicate that the abstainers constitute a select group which is exposed to various psychosocial risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based sample (N=1978) from the study Young in Norway - longitudinal was followed with repeated surveys from their teens until approaching the age of 30. This data set was linked to various registries. The collection of data included their use of alcohol, social integration and symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as sexual behaviour. Data on receipt of social benefits were collected from registries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At age 21, altogether 211 individuals (10.7%) had remained abstinent from alcohol throughout their entire lives. At age 28, their number had fallen to 93 individuals (4.7%). At age 21, abstinence was associated with weak networks of friends, loneliness and a higher likelihood of not yet having had a sexual debut. At age 28, the abstainers also reported a higher prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression. They were also more frequent recipients of social benefits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abstinence from alcohol in adulthood is associated with psychosocial problems and weak integration. These may introduce confounding factors in studies of the health effects of alcohol consumption.
authors.affiliation: Institutt for sosiologi og samfunnsgeografi Universitetet i Oslo, Norway. willy.pedersen@sosgeo.uio.no
authors.forename: Willy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pedersen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D003075:Coitus; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008132:Loneliness; D009664:Norway; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013695:Temperance / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult