Background

Heavy episodic drinking is common in the United States (US) and causes substantial burden to individuals and the society. The transition from first drinking to first heavy drinking episode is a major milestone in the escalation of drinking. There is limited evidence about whether major depressive symptoms predict the progression from drinking to heavy drinking and potential variations across age, sex, and depressive symptoms. In this study, we aim to estimate the association between history of major depressive symptoms and the risk of first heavy drinking episode among new drinkers in the US.

Methods

Study population was US non-institutionalized civilian new drinkers 12 years of age and older who had their first drink during the past 12 months drawn from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. History of major depressive symptoms and alcohol drinking behaviors were assessed via audio-computer-assisted self-interviews. Logistic regressions and structural equation modeling were used for analysis.

Results

Depressed mood and/or anhedonia predicted the transition from the first drink to a heavy drinking episode among underage female new drinkers, whereas null associations were found among males and female new drinkers who had their first drink at 21 and later. Among new drinkers with depressed mood and/or anhedonia, low mood or energy positively predicted the progression to a heavy drinking episode among late-adolescent boys, but negatively among late-adolescent girls; neurovegetative symptoms positively predicted the progression to a heavy drinking episode among young adult new drinkers.

Conclusions

The relationships linking major depressive symptoms and the transition from drinking to first heavy drinking episode vary across age, sex, and depressive symptoms.

中文翻译：

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美国新饮酒者的主要抑郁症状和饮酒升级：不同性别和年龄组的差异

背景

大量间歇性饮酒在美国很常见，给个人和社会造成巨大负担。从第一次饮酒到第一次重度饮酒的过渡是饮酒升级的一个重要里程碑。关于重度抑郁症状是否预测从饮酒到酗酒的进展以及年龄、性别和抑郁症状的潜在变化的证据有限。在这项研究中，我们旨在评估美国新饮酒者重度抑郁症状史与首次酗酒风险之间的关联。

方法

研究人群是 12 岁及以上的美国非机构化平民新饮酒者，他们在过去 12 个月内第一次饮酒，这些人群来自全国药物使用和健康调查。通过音频计算机辅助的自我访谈评估重度抑郁症状和饮酒行为的历史。逻辑回归和结构方程模型用于分析。

结果

抑郁的情绪和/或快感缺乏预测了未成年女性新饮酒者从第一次饮酒到重度饮酒的转变，而在 21 岁及以后首次饮酒的男性和女性新饮酒者中发现了零关联。在情绪低落和/或快感缺乏的新饮酒者中，情绪低落或精力不足对青春期晚期男孩向重度饮酒事件的进展有积极的预测，但在青春期后期的女孩中则是负面的；神经植物症状积极预测年轻成年新饮酒者向重度饮酒事件的进展。

结论

将重度抑郁症状与从饮酒到第一次酗酒的过渡联系起来的关系因年龄、性别和抑郁症状而异。