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Published on: January 7, 2019
Depression, Alcohol Dependence and Abuse, and Drinking and Driving Behavior
1Duke University School of Nursing, 307 Trent Drive, DUMC 3322, Durham, NC 27710, Office: (919)-668-9976, Cell: (919)-995-2510.
Depression increases drinking and driving episodes indirectly by reducing designated driver use. Alcohol dependence directly links to drinking and driving, and indirectly through binge drinking.
Area of Science:
- Addiction research
- Mental health studies
- Public health
Background:
- Depression and alcohol dependence/abuse are linked, but their relationship to drinking and driving is complex.
- Previous research examined these factors separately, not their interplay.
- This study uniquely investigates depression's indirect pathways to drinking and driving.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between depression, alcohol dependence/abuse, and drinking and driving episodes.
- To explore behavioral mediators, including designated driver use and binge drinking.
- To identify effective intervention points for reducing drinking and driving.
Main Methods:
- Survey data from 1,634 drinkers in eight U.S. cities.
- Ordinary least squares regression (OLS) and path analysis were utilized.
- Investigated direct and indirect associations between depression, alcohol dependence/abuse, and drinking and driving.
Main Results:
- Depression indirectly increases drinking and driving episodes via reduced designated driver use.
- Alcohol dependence/abuse directly predicts drinking and driving and indirectly through binge drinking.
- Self-control of drinking before driving did not significantly reduce episodes.
Conclusions:
- Treatment for individuals with depression should prioritize facilitating support systems, like designated drivers.
- Interventions focusing on self-control of drinking before driving are not empirically supported for reducing frequency.
- Addressing alcohol dependence/abuse is more effective for influencing binge drinking than treating depression alone.
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