Associations between alcohol‐use and depression symptoms in adolescence: Examining gender differences and pathways over time

Abstract

Several studies examining alcohol use and depression in youth have focused on documenting prevalence of overlap, or temporal ordering in longitudinal samples. Fewer studies have examined pathways connecting alcohol use and depression over time. This study examined gender differences between depression and alcohol use across adolescence while examining peer and family pathways as possible mediators of effects. Data was collected longitudinally from 593 families from three urban public middle schools in the United States. Participants were recruited in 6th grade and followed through 9th grade. We examined gender differences using a nested model comparison approach. Results indicated the association between depression and alcohol use differs by gender. For males, depression and alcohol use were independent across adolescence, and no significant indirect pathways were observed. For females, bidirectional effects were found between alcohol use and depression, as well as an indirect effect from depression to alcohol use via peer deviance.

Gendered Pathways of Internalizing Problems from Early Childhood to Adolescence and Associated Adolescent Outcomes

“…Boys were more likely to report smoking cigarettes, while girls were more likely to report arguing with their mother, but not their father, than the low group. Nevertheless, unlike studies examining pathways of depressive symptoms (Costello et al 2008;Danzo et al 2017;Skogen et al 2016), the high group did not report drinking more alcohol or using more cannabis than the low group.…”

“…Given that there is little evidence concerning how trajectories of internalizing problems from childhood to adolescence may be related to adolescent outcomes, this study explores this association among a number of relevant adolescent outcomes including problematic behaviours, mental and physical health, and relationships. For problematic behaviours, including alcohol, cigarette, substance abuse, and early sexual activity, there is evidence showing an association between these behaviours and depressive symptoms (e.g., Chaiton et al 2009;Costello et al 2008;Danzo et al 2017;Skogen et al 2016), but less is known about gender differences. In line with the "gender paradox of co-morbidities" (Loeber and Keenan 1994), girls may be less likely to engage in delinquent behaviour than boys, but when they do, they may be more likely to be depressed and anxious (Zahn-Waxler et al, 2008).…”

Prevalence, correlates and help-seeking behaviour for depressive symptoms in rural Uganda: a population-based survey

“…Co-occurring alcohol use and depression have been associated with greater severity, heightened suicide risk and prolonged symptom course (Danzo et al . 2017). However, in this study, there was inadequate data to report on the association of depression and severity of alcohol use.…”

Developmental pathways from child maltreatment to adolescent substance use: The roles of posttraumatic stress symptoms and mother-child relationships

“…Furthermore, substance use during adolescence has been found to be a strong predictor of the subsequent development of substance abuse or dependence over a lifespan (Anthony & Petronis, 1995; Patton et al, 2007; Shin, 2012). Negative developmental outcomes associated with adolescent substance use can include low academic achievement, impaired brain functioning, risky sexual behavior, unintended teen pregnancies, depression, suicidal attempts, and criminal involvement (Bava & Tapert, 2010; Danzo, Connell, & Stormshak, 2017; Guo et al, 2002; Marshall, 2014; Slade et al, 2008; Silins et al, 2014; Squeglia, Jacobus, & Tapert, 2009). …”