MPC Member Publications

This database contains a listing of population studies publications written by MPC Members. Anyone can add a publication by an MPC student, faculty, or staff member to this database; new citations will be reviewed and approved by MPC administrators.

Full Citation

Title: Age-related changes in associations between reasons for alcohol use and high-intensity drinking across young adulthood

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2017

ISSN: 19384114

DOI: 10.15288/jsad.2017.78.558

Abstract: OBJECTIVE Analyses focus on whether self-reported reasons for drinking alcohol change in their associations with high-intensity drinking across the transition to adulthood. METHOD Self-report data on high-intensity drinking (10+ drinks) collected from the national Monitoring the Future study in 2005 to 2014 from those ages 18-26 were used (N = 2,664 [60% women] for all drinkers and 1,377 for heavy episodic [5+] drinkers; up to 6,541 person-waves). Time-varying effect modeling examined changes in the direction and magnitude of associations between eight reasons for drinking and high-intensity alcohol use across continuous age. RESULTS Four reasons to drink showed quite stable associations with high-intensity drinking across age: drinking to get away from problems, to get high, to relax, and to sleep. Associations between two reasons and high-intensity drinking decreased with age: anger/frustration and to have a good time. The association between drinking because of boredom and high-intensity drinking increased with age. Drinking because it tastes good had a weak association with high-intensity drinking. Among heavy episodic drinkers, reasons for use also differentiated high-intensity drinking, with two exceptions: drinking to have a good time and to relax did not distinguish drinking 10+ drinks from drinking 5-9 drinks. CONCLUSIONS Reasons for drinking are differentially associated with high-intensity drinking, compared with any other drinking and compared with lower intensity heavy drinking, across age during the transition to adulthood. Intervention programs seeking to mitigate alcohol-related harms should focus on reasons for use when they are the most developmentally salient.

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Patrick, Megan E.; Evans-Polce, Rebecca J.; Kloska, Deborah D.; Maggs, Jennifer L.; Lanza, Stephanie T.

Periodical (Full): Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs

Issue: 4

Volume: 78

Pages: 558-570

Countries:

IPUMS NHGIS NAPP IHIS ATUS Terrapop