Citation

Cheng TC, Lo CC. Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2023; 13(5): 870-882.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publications Institute)

DOI

10.3390/ejihpe13050066

PMID

37232704

PMCID

PMC10217158

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study, using the multiple disadvantage model (MDM), sought to identify factors (disadvantaging social disorganization, social structural, social integration, health/mental health, co-occurring substance use, and substance treatment access factors) in young adults' binge drinking reduction and cessation in the United States.

METHODS: We extracted data on 942 young adult binge drinkers (25-34 years, 47.8% female) from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), carrying out a temporal-ordered causal analysis, meaning the evaluation of select variables' impacts on an outcome at a subsequent time.

RESULTS: MDM found a relatively high reduction likelihood for non-Hispanic African Americans and respondents with relatively more education. MDM found a relatively low reduction likelihood accompanying an alcohol-related arrest, higher income, and greater number of close friends. Change to nondrinking was found more likely for non-Hispanic African Americans, other non-Hispanic participants having minority ethnicity, older respondents, those with more occupational skills, and healthier respondents. Such change became less likely with an alcohol-related arrest, higher income, relatively more education, greater number of close friends, close friends' disapproval of drinking, and co-occurring drug use.

CONCLUSIONS: Interventions incorporating a motivational-interviewing style can effectively promote health awareness, assessment of co-occurring disorders, friendships with nondrinkers, and attainment of occupational skills.

Language: en

Keywords

young adults; binge drinking; racial disparities; social network