Coexisting problems and alcoholic family risk among adolescents

A substantial subset of nonclinical adolescents reported single or multiple problems with regard to drinking behavior, depressive symptoms, and delinquency. Similar to previous research, boys reported higher levels of heavy and problematic drinking, whereas girls reported higher levels of depressive symptoms. Higher levels of alcohol involvement were associated with higher levels of delinquency for both boys and girls. Family history of alcoholism was associated with an overrepresentation of problem drinkers (as well as abstainers). These findings are fairly consistent with the adult alcohol typology literature in identifying coexisting problem patterns for the triumvirate of problem drinking, depressive symptoms, and antisocial behavior. Furthermore, these data support the manifestation of these patterns prior to the onset of alcohol dependence (and maybe alcohol abuse). Future longitudinal research needs to focus on the short- and long-term patterns of problem behaviors among adolescents and to identify common and unique precursors, correlates, and consequences associated with varying levels of alcohol involvement.