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. 2018 Mar:78:22-29.
doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.10.022. Epub 2017 Oct 26.

An examination of heavy drinking, depressed mood, drinking related constructs, and consequences among high-risk college students using a person-centered approach

Irene M Geisner  1 , Kimberly Mallett  2 , Lindsey Varvil-Weld  2 , Sarah Ackerman  2 , Bradley M Trager  2 , Rob Turrisi  2
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An examination of heavy drinking, depressed mood, drinking related constructs, and consequences among high-risk college students using a person-centered approach

Irene M Geisner et al. Addict Behav. 2018 Mar.

Abstract

Introduction: Research has identified college students who experience depressed mood and consume alcohol are at an increased risk for experiencing alcohol problems. The present study identified profiles of differential alcohol use, depression, key psychosocial indicators of drinking (e.g., normative perceptions) and examined the relationship between these profiles and alcohol-related consequences.

Method: Students with a history of risky drinking and elevated depressed mood (n=311; 62.4% female) completed a web-based survey assessing typical and peak drinking, depressive symptoms, descriptive norms, drinking to cope motives, protective behavioral strategies, and alcohol-related consequences.

Results: Latent profile analysis was used to classify participants into distinct profiles focusing on alcohol use patterns and level of depressed mood and drinking related constructs. Profiles were then compared based on their association with reported rates of alcohol-related consequences. Four profiles emerged: 1) Mild Depression, Heavy Drinkers; 2) Mild Depression, Severe Drinkers; 3) Moderate Depression, Heavy Drinkers; and 4) Moderate Depression, Severe Drinkers. Findings revealed significant differences between the four profiles on both risky drinking and alcohol-related consequences.

Conclusion: These findings suggest the importance of assessing and addressing depressive symptoms among college students in order to reduce rates of risky drinking and alcohol-related consequences.

Keywords: Comorbidity; Depressed mood; Drinking; Profile analysis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Total for coping motives, protective behavioral strategies, depressive symptoms, weekly drinking, descriptive drinking norms and peak drinking for each student profile
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean for each of the RAPI subscales for each student profile
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