Projects per year
Abstract
Background: Alcohol consumption during adolescence is widespread, although there is considerable variation in patterns of use. The aim of this study was to identify patterns of coping-motivated alcohol use in a UK birth cohort, and examine individual and family characteristics associated with the resulting drinker profiles.
Method: At age 17, participants (n= 3,957; 56% female) reported their alcohol and drug use, internalising symptoms, and use of alcohol to cope with a range of emotions. Socio-demographic data were collected via maternal report. Latent class analysis identified drinker subtypes based on the coping motives reported. Association between these profiles and socio-demographic characteristics and internalising disorders was examined.
Results: The vast majority (92%) of adolescents reported alcohol consumption in the past year, and 26% of those drank weekly or more often. Four distinct motive profiles were identified. These profiles were associated with different socio-demographic characteristics: adolescents from higher socio-economic backgrounds drank primarily for increased confidence, whereas adolescents from low socio-economic backgrounds were more likely to drink to cope with low mood. Adolescents with an anxiety or depressive disorder were six times more likely to fall within the high-risk subtype, characterised by a generalised pattern of drinking to cope with emotions across the board.
Conclusions: Coping motives for drinking vary with individual and family factors. Adolescents from low versus high socio-economic backgrounds were characterized by distinct drinking profiles; thus prevention messages may need to be tailored accordingly. Internalising disorders were strongly associated with a high-risk profile of coping-motivated drinking.
Method: At age 17, participants (n= 3,957; 56% female) reported their alcohol and drug use, internalising symptoms, and use of alcohol to cope with a range of emotions. Socio-demographic data were collected via maternal report. Latent class analysis identified drinker subtypes based on the coping motives reported. Association between these profiles and socio-demographic characteristics and internalising disorders was examined.
Results: The vast majority (92%) of adolescents reported alcohol consumption in the past year, and 26% of those drank weekly or more often. Four distinct motive profiles were identified. These profiles were associated with different socio-demographic characteristics: adolescents from higher socio-economic backgrounds drank primarily for increased confidence, whereas adolescents from low socio-economic backgrounds were more likely to drink to cope with low mood. Adolescents with an anxiety or depressive disorder were six times more likely to fall within the high-risk subtype, characterised by a generalised pattern of drinking to cope with emotions across the board.
Conclusions: Coping motives for drinking vary with individual and family factors. Adolescents from low versus high socio-economic backgrounds were characterized by distinct drinking profiles; thus prevention messages may need to be tailored accordingly. Internalising disorders were strongly associated with a high-risk profile of coping-motivated drinking.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 584-594 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Prevention Science |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 5 |
Early online date | 30 Apr 2016 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 2016 |
Keywords
- alcohol
- drinking motives
- drinking to cope
- anxiety
- depression
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Dive into the research topics of 'Drinking to Cope: a Latent Class Analysis of Coping Motives for Alcohol Use in a Large Cohort of Adolescents.'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 3 Finished
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Revised: 'Excessive drinking and alcohol related harms in Adulthood: ALSPAC at 24 MR/L022206/1'
Hickman, M. (Principal Investigator)
1/06/15 → 31/05/20
Project: Research
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ALSPAC - CAUSAL PATHWAYS TO SUBSTANCE USE AND DEPENDENCE IN YOUNG PEOPLE
Hickman, M. (Principal Investigator)
1/05/09 → 1/04/13
Project: Research
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ALSPAC AND ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE USE TRAJECTORIES
Hickman, M. (Principal Investigator)
1/04/09 → 1/04/11
Project: Research