Dynamic structural equation modeling of the relationship between alcohol habit and drinking variability

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• A hyper-engaged habit system is frequently observed in alcohol use disorders (AUDs).
• Drinking patterns in AUDs may manifest as increased drinking autoregression, where prior day consumption predicts subsequent day drinking.
• This study investigates the relationship between alcohol habit, drinking autoregression, and alcohol consumption variability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between alcohol habit and drinking autoregression using intensive longitudinal data.
• To determine if alcohol habit influences variable levels of alcohol consumption.
• To understand the role of habit in the context of alcohol use disorders.

Main Methods:

• Employed dynamic structural equation models (DSEM) with intensive longitudinal data from 313 adult drinkers.
• Assessed alcohol habit using the Self Report Habit Index (SRHI).
• Quantified daily drinking and heavy drinking using 30-day Timeline Followback assessments.

Main Results:

• A weak but significant autoregressive structure was found for daily drinking and heavy drinking.
• Alcohol habit correlated with increased mean drinking but did not enhance the autoregressive effect.
• Higher alcohol habit was associated with greater person-specific variability in both total and heavy drinking.

Conclusions:

• Alcohol habit significantly influences drinking variability and mean consumption levels in AUDs.
• While habit did not strengthen autoregression, it is linked to increased drinking variability.
• Interventions targeting drinking variability and heavier drinking occasions may be effective for managing AUD habit.