A multidimensional developmental model of alcohol use during emerging adulthood

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Emerging adulthood is a critical period for the development of alcohol use patterns.
• Understanding the trajectory of alcohol consumption is crucial for public health interventions.
• Previous research has identified various patterns of alcohol use, but longitudinal transitions are less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify distinct multidimensional classes of alcohol use.
• To examine the movement of individuals among these classes during emerging adulthood.
• To develop a developmental model of alcohol use incorporating multiple dimensions.

Main Methods:

• Latent transition analysis (LTA) was employed to model alcohol use.
• Four aspects of alcohol use were incorporated: past-year use, frequency, quantity, and heavy episodic drinking.
• Data were collected from 1,143 participants in the Reducing Risk in Young Adult Transitions study at mean ages of 18.5, 20.5, and 22.5 years.

Main Results:

• A five-class developmental model best described alcohol use between ages 18.5 and 22.5.
• The identified classes were: no use, occasional low use, occasional high use, frequent high use, and frequent high use with heavy episodic drinking.
• Analysis revealed the proportion of participants in each class and their transitions over time.

Conclusions:

• Alcohol use generally increased among participants from 18.5 to 22.5 years.
• Individuals in lower alcohol use classes were more likely to remain in those classes.
• Participants in moderate and high use classes were more likely to transition to frequent high use with heavy episodic drinking.