Temporal association between childhood depressive symptoms and alcohol problem use in early adolescence: findings from a large longitudinal population-based study

Abstract

My thesis addresses the nature of the longitudinal relationship between depressive symptoms at age 10 years and alcohol problem use at age 14 years. Using data from 4220 participants in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), a large population-based UK birth cohort, I examined the impact of relevant covariates on the relationship between these two behaviours and evidence of gender differences; testing furthermore for the moderating effects of peers' influences in this relationship. Childhood depressive symptoms were associated with increased risk of alcohol problem use in early adolescence for girls (O. R. 1.14, p-value = 0.016) but not boys. Covariates describing particularly the family and social environment influenced this association for girls. This association becomes smaller when these covariates were taken into account. Having a strong bond with alcohol-drinking peers interacted with depressive symptoms to increase risk of alcohol problem use in 14 year old girls (O. R. 1.18, p-value = 0.029). These findings provide support to a Family Interactional theoretical model and corroborate the growing evidence that family-related interventions to reduce alcohol use are particularly effective for girls. Future policy will have to consider that girls who experience high levels of depressive symptoms may be at particular risk of alcohol problem use if they affiliate with a peer group exerting strong pressure to drink