Search resultsModerate alcohol use and depression in young adults: Findings from a National Longitudinal Study
Title
Moderate alcohol use and depression in young adults: Findings from a National Longitudinal Study
Publication type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2005
Authors
Journal
American Journal of Public Health
Volume
95
Issue
3
Pagination
453 - 457
Date published
2005
ISBN
00900036 (ISSN)
Keywords
Adult, alcohol consumption, Alcohol Drinking, article, Confounding Factors (Epidemiology), controlled study, demography, Depression, drinking behavior, Educational Status, Employment, Epidemiologic Studies, Female, Health Services Needs and Demand, health status, Health Surveys, human, Humans, lifespan, Linear Models, Longitudinal Studies, longitudinal study, major clinical study, male, mental health, mood disorder, Multivariate Analysis, Population Surveillance, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Public Assistance, Questionnaires, Socioeconomic Factors, socioeconomics, Time Factors, United States
Abstract
Objectives. We examined the association between moderate alcohol use and depressive mood among young adults before and after adjustment for demographic, health, and socioeconomic factors that may act as confounders. Methods. We analyzed 2 waves of interview data collected from 13892 young adults who participated in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to compare frequency of depressive symptoms in moderate drinkers with frequency of symptoms in young adults in other alcohol use categories. Results. With adjustment for health and socioeconomic factors, frequency of depressive symptoms were similar among moderate drinkers, lifetime and long-term abstainers, and heavy/heavier moderate drinkers but remained significantly higher among heavy drinkers. Conclusions. Moderate alcohol use may have no effect on depression in young adults relative to abstinence from alcohol use.