Alcohol misuse and psychosocial outcomes in young adulthood: results from a longitudinal birth cohort studied to age 30.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the associations between measures of alcohol abuse/dependence symptoms and a range of psychosocial outcomes from ages 21 to 30 in a New Zealand birth cohort.


METHODS
Outcome measures included measures of: criminal offending, family violence and relationship instability, sexual risk-taking and consequences, mental health, and other adverse health and adjustment outcomes. Bivariate associations between a three-level classification of alcohol misuse (no symptoms, subclinical level of symptoms, met criteria for alcohol dependence) and each outcome during the period 21-30 years were computed using Generalised Estimating Equation models. These associations were then adjusted for non-observed sources of confounding using conditional fixed effects regression modelling, augmented by time-dynamic covariate factors. For both sets of models estimates of the attributable risk (AR) were computed.


RESULTS
There were statistically significant (p<.05) bivariate associations between alcohol misuse and each of the fifteen outcome measures, with estimates of the AR ranging from 7.4% to 46.5%. Adjustment for non-observed fixed effects generally reduced the magnitude of these associations; however, after adjustment, 12 of the 15 associations remained statistically significant (p<.05). Estimates of the AR after adjustment for fixed effects ranged from 3.6% to 44.3%.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that there are pervasive and persistent linkages between alcohol misuse and a range of adverse psychosocial outcomes. A reduction in levels of alcohol misuse amongst individuals of this age group could reduce substantially the overall level of personal and societal cost of hazardous levels of alcohol consumption.
Christchurch Health and Development Study, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, New Zealand. Electronic address: dm.fergusson@otago.ac.nz.
David M
DM
Fergusson
Joseph M
JM
Boden
L John
LJ
Horwood
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002654:Child Care; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D012306:Risk; D018401:Sample Size; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
Alcohol abuse/dependence; Longitudinal study; Non-observed confounding; Psychosocial outcomes