Adolescent Behavioral Characteristics Mediate Familial Effects on Alcohol Use and Problems in College-Bound Students

Abstract

Background: Studies suggest a broad spectrum of behaviors associated with drinking. Consequently, it is unclear whether patterns of familial risk for psychopathology are directly or indirectly related to patterns of alcohol use and problems in late adolescence or mediated by behavioral characteristics, such as temperament, mood.

Objectives: We examined direct and indirect effects of perceived family history of psychopathology on pre-collegiate alcohol use and problems via the Transmissible Liability Index (TLI).

Methods: Participants (N = 302; 29.6% male) provided self-report data on age of onset of drinking, past 90-day frequency of alcohol use and problems (AUP), family history of internalizing and alcohol and illicit substance use, and TLI.

Results: Approximately 21% of participants reported having at least one relative with a history of regular and/or problematic alcohol use, compared to 12% for illicit substance use, and -55% for internalizing problems. Higher TLI scores were associated with increased family history of substance use, alcohol use, and internalizing problems, as well as earlier age of onset of drinking. Family history of internalizing problems was the most robust indicator of AUP (β = 0.20 [95% CI = 0.04-0.36], P = .01). Path analyses suggested that the individual-level behaviors that comprise TLI mediate the effects of family history on age of initiation and regular alcohol consumption.

Conclusions: Family history of internalizing, drinking, and illicit substance use reflect generalized risk for a broad set of behaviors associated with risk for alcohol initiation and use during the transition from high school to college.

Keywords: Transmissible Liability Index; adolescent health; alcohol; college; family history.

Figure 1.

Path model of family history and TLI effects on age of initiation of drinking and past-90 day frequency of alcohol use (ie, past 90-day alcohol use). Path analysis showing direct and indirect effects on past 90 day frequency of alcohol use. Darker lines indicate significant standardized path loadings along with their respective 95% confidence intervals; gray lines indicate paths that were non-significant.

Figure 2.

Path model of family history and TLI effects on age of initiation of drinking and number of past-90 day alcohol problems. Path analysis showing direct and indirect effects on past 90 day frequency of alcohol problems. Darker lines indicate significant standardized path loadings along with their respective 95% confidence intervals; gray lines indicate paths that were non-significant.