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Childhood risk factors for early-onset drinking
John E Donovan1, Brooke S G Molina
1Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213-2593, USA. donovanje@upmc.edu
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs
|September 13, 2011
Summary
Childhood psychosocial factors and family environment predict early alcohol use. Problem Behavior Theory explains this link, highlighting risks like single-parent households and parental drinking habits.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Addiction Science
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Limited research exists on childhood predictors of early-onset alcohol use.
- Problem Behavior Theory (PBT) posits that psychosocial factors influence problem behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate psychosocial variables at age 10 as predictors of alcohol initiation by age 14.
- To apply PBT to understand early-onset drinking.
Main Methods:
- 452 children (ages 8-10) and their families participated.
- Computer-assisted interviews collected psychosocial data.
- Logistic regression analyzed predictors of early alcohol use.
Main Results:
- 25% of sample initiated drinking by age 14.
- Early drinking linked to psychosocial proneness (personality, social, behavioral factors).
- Key predictors: single-parent status, early alcohol tasting, parental early drinking, and parental drinking frequency.
Conclusions:
- Early alcohol initiation by age 14 is associated with childhood psychosocial proneness to problem behavior.
- Family environment, particularly parental drinking, is a significant factor.
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