Trajectories of alcohol use and consequences in college women with and without depressed mood

Abstract College students with depressed mood face heightened risk for experiencing drinking-related negative consequences. However, few studies have examined prospective patterns of alcohol consequences among depressed students. In the present investigation, we assessed how first-year college women...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Addictive behaviors 2016-02, Vol.53, p.19-22
Main Authors: Kenney, Shannon, Abar, Caitlin C, O'Brien, Kimberly, Clark, Gabrielle, LaBrie, Joseph W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Alcohol
Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology
Alcohol Drinking - psychology
Alcohol use
College students
Consequences
Depressed mood
Depression - psychology
Female
Humans
Intervention
Mental depression
Psychiatry
Risk factors
Students - psychology
Students - statistics & numerical data
Universities
Women
Women - psychology
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Summary:Abstract College students with depressed mood face heightened risk for experiencing drinking-related negative consequences. However, few studies have examined prospective patterns of alcohol consequences among depressed students. In the present investigation, we assessed how first-year college women's trajectories of heavy episodic drinking (HED) and alcohol consequences differed as a function of depressed mood at college entry. Participants were 233 heavy drinking incoming first-year college females (61% White) at a mid-sized West Coast University. Participants completed an online baseline survey, attended a single brief group intervention session, and completed 1- and 6-month post-intervention follow-up surveys. Depressed mood, alcohol consumption, and alcohol consequences were assessed at each time point. We employed latent growth curve analyses. Females with depressed mood, versus without depressed mood, experienced greater levels of alcohol consequences overall, particularly during transitions to college. However, contrary to hypotheses, participants with depressed mood (vs. without) exhibited significantly steeper declining trends in consequences, controlling for treatment condition, age, race, and ethnicity, and despite stable drinking levels, depressed mood, and use of protective behaviors over time. Potential explanations and suggestions for future research are discussed.
ISSN:0306-4603
1873-6327
DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.09.011