RESEARCH REPORT

Family transitions and changes in drinking from adolescence through mid-life

Corresponding Author

Jeremy Staff

Sociology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

Correspondence to: Jeremy Staff, Sociology, Pennsylvania State University, 211 Oswald Tower, University Park, PA 16802, USA. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Kaylin M. Greene,

Kaylin M. Greene

Sociology and Anthropology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA

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Jennifer L. Maggs,

Jennifer L. Maggs

Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

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Ingrid Schoon,

Ingrid Schoon

Institute of Education, University of London, London, UK

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Jeremy Staff,

Corresponding Author

Jeremy Staff

Sociology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

Correspondence to: Jeremy Staff, Sociology, Pennsylvania State University, 211 Oswald Tower, University Park, PA 16802, USA. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Kaylin M. Greene,

Kaylin M. Greene

Sociology and Anthropology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA

Search for more papers by this author

Jennifer L. Maggs,

Jennifer L. Maggs

Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

Search for more papers by this author

Ingrid Schoon,

Ingrid Schoon

Institute of Education, University of London, London, UK

Search for more papers by this author

First published: 30 October 2013

https://doi.org/10.1111/add.12394

Citations: 38

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Abstract

Aims

To examine how changes in social roles, particularly in the family, predict rises and falls in alcohol consumption from ages 16 to 50 years.

Design

Longitudinal data from the National Child Development Study.

Setting

The birth cohort includes 99% of British infants born in 1 week in 1958.

Participants

After initial assessment of 17 415 infants, the cohort was interviewed at ages 7, 11, 16, 23, 33, 42, 46, and 50. This study uses the six adolescent to adult waves (n = 7212 women, 7377 men).

Measurements

Alcohol use [i.e. quantity consumed in past week and heavy-daily drinking), symptoms of problem drinking (i.e. Cut-down, Annoyed, Guilt, Eye-opener (CAGE)] and social roles (i.e. union formation, parenthood and employment).

Findings

Estimates from fixed-effects models demonstrate that alcohol use is lower when women reside with child(ren) under age 5, compared to occasions when they do not [estimate = −0.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.43, −0.32 for past week units; odds ratio (OR) = 0.47, CI = 0.36, 0.62 for heavy-daily drinking; OR = 0.66, CI = 0.50, 0.87 for CAGE symptoms]. Associations are similar for men (estimate = −0.29, CI = −0.36, −0.23; OR = 0.64, CI = 0.53, 0.77; OR = 0.69, CI = 0.51, 0.94, respectively). When women and men are married, working and residing with young child(ren), past week units (estimate = −0.51, CI = −0.61, −0.41 for women; estimate = −0.34, CI = −0.44, −0.25 for men), heavy-daily drinking (OR = 0.49, CI = 0.30, 0.79 for women; OR = 0.47, CI = 0.35, 0.64 for men) and CAGE (OR = 0.44, CI = 0.23, 0.83 for women; OR = 0.39, CI = 0.18, 0.82 for men) are lower compared to occasions when they are not in these roles.

Conclusions

From late adolescence to mid-life, women and men in Britain are most at risk for higher levels of alcohol consumption and problem drinking when family roles are absent.

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Volume109, Issue2

February 2014

Pages 227-236

Family transitions and changes in drinking from adolescence through mid-life

Abstract

Aims

Design

Setting

Participants

Measurements

Findings

Conclusions

References

Citing Literature

References

Information

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Family transitions and changes in drinking from adolescence through mid-life

Abstract

Aims

Design

Setting

Participants

Measurements

Findings

Conclusions

References

Citing Literature

References

Related

Information