Exploring the complex inter-relations between internalising symptoms, executive functioning and alcohol use in young...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• Hazardous drinking is prevalent in young adulthood.
• Evidence is mixed regarding the link between internalizing symptoms, executive functioning deficits, and increased risk for alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interaction between internalizing symptoms and executive functioning deficits in relation to AUD symptoms in emerging adulthood.
• To examine the mediating roles of drinking motives and alcohol consumption in this relationship.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 155 Australian young adults (17-24 years) provided self-report data on internalizing symptoms and alcohol outcomes.
• Neuropsychological tests measured executive functioning in a subset of participants (n=104).
• Latent moderated and mediated structural equation models were used to analyze the data.

Main Results:

• A significant interaction was found: high internalizing symptoms combined with executive functioning deficits predicted stronger coping motives for drinking, higher alcohol consumption, and greater AUD symptoms.
• Coping motives and alcohol consumption mediated the association between the internalizing symptoms and executive functioning interaction and AUD symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Greater executive functioning resources are linked to reduced motivation for hazardous drinking as a coping mechanism.
• Interventions targeting executive functioning and internalizing symptoms may be beneficial for preventing and treating alcohol use disorder in young people.