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Longitudinal stability and dimensional structure of problem drinking in adolescence.
1Center of Alcohol Studies, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903.
Journal of Studies on Alcohol
|November 1, 1987
Summary
Problem drinking in adolescents and youth involves distinct dimensions of use intensity and related problems, not a single factor. These dimensions show stability across time, with some exceptions for males during early adolescence.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Addiction Research
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Previous studies often used exploratory factor analyses to assess problem drinking.
- The construct of problem drinking may be more complex than a unitary measure.
- Understanding the dimensions and stability of problem drinking is crucial for effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a multivariate analysis of problem drinking dimensions using confirmatory factor analyses.
- To examine the stability of these dimensions across time in adolescents and youth.
- To investigate age and gender differences in problem drinking dimensions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized confirmatory factor analyses on longitudinal self-report data from adolescents and youth.
- Analyses were stratified by age and gender.
- Compared findings to previous studies employing exploratory factor analyses.
Main Results:
- Problem drinking comprises at least two distinct dimensions: intensity of use and use-related problems, for both males and females.
- These dimensions demonstrate relative stability from ages 15 to 21.
- Alcohol-related problems showed instability for males between 15 and 18 years of age.
Conclusions:
- Problem drinking is a multidimensional construct in adolescents and youth.
- The identified dimensions of problem drinking are largely stable throughout late adolescence and early adulthood.
- Targeted interventions may need to consider the distinct dimensions and developmental trajectories of problem drinking, particularly for young males.