Impact of depressive symptomatology on alcohol problems in women

The association between the amount of depression manifest at time of an alcoholic woman's admission to treatment, the course of alcoholism and its consequences, and early psychosocial vulnerabilities was examined in a sample of women in treatment for alcoholism (n = 301). Two indices of depression, one reflecting low self-esteem and the other current mood were constructed by factor analysis of interview items measuring depression (drawn from Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale, Diagnostic Interview Scale, and Personal Attributes Questionnaire). Both depression indices were associated with earlier age of onset and earlier loss of control. Binge drinking was associated with current mood, while daily/weekend drinking was associated with low self-esteem. Both measures were associated with the consequences of alcoholism. An examination of alcoholic women's background revealed that there are some influences in the early family environment that are associated with increased levels of depression in alcoholic women.