Elizabeth K Do1, Shawn J Latendresse2, Alexis C Edwards3, Kenneth S Kendler3, Danielle M Dick4, Timothy P York5. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia. 2. Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas. 3. Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia. 4. Departments of Psychology, African American Studies, and Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia. 5. Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The relationship between gestational age at birth (GA) and alcohol use measures in early adulthood was examined in a large U.K. community-based birth cohort (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children). METHODS: A series of linear and logistic regression models were used to test for main effects of a continuous measure of GA on a range of alcohol use measures, and moderation of these associations by sex. In addition, mediation analyses assessed the extent to which significant associations between GA and alcohol use operated indirectly, through influences of the parental environment and/or childhood measures of emotional and behavioral health (EBH). RESULTS: Earlier GA significantly predicted never drinking by age 18, but was not associated with other measures of alcohol use behavior among young adult drinkers (i.e., Self-Rating of the Effects of Alcohol, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, or DSM-IV-TR Criteria for Alcohol Dependence). The association between earlier GA and never drinking by age 18 was moderated by sex, such that females born early were less likely to have ever had a drink by age 18. In the full sample, childhood measures of EBH were found to mediate the association between earlier GA and never drinking by age 18. This association was not mediated by parenting factors. CONCLUSIONS: Earlier GA is associated with never drinking alcohol in early adulthood, in females. Emotional and behavioral difficulties experienced in early childhood may mediate the relationship between earlier GA and never drinking by age 18.
BACKGROUND: The relationship between gestational age at birth (GA) and alcohol use measures in early adulthood was examined in a large U.K. community-based birth cohort (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children). METHODS: A series of linear and logistic regression models were used to test for main effects of a continuous measure of GA on a range of alcohol use measures, and moderation of these associations by sex. In addition, mediation analyses assessed the extent to which significant associations between GA and alcohol use operated indirectly, through influences of the parental environment and/or childhood measures of emotional and behavioral health (EBH). RESULTS: Earlier GA significantly predicted never drinking by age 18, but was not associated with other measures of alcohol use behavior among young adult drinkers (i.e., Self-Rating of the Effects of Alcohol, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, or DSM-IV-TR Criteria for Alcohol Dependence). The association between earlier GA and never drinking by age 18 was moderated by sex, such that females born early were less likely to have ever had a drink by age 18. In the full sample, childhood measures of EBH were found to mediate the association between earlier GA and never drinking by age 18. This association was not mediated by parenting factors. CONCLUSIONS: Earlier GA is associated with never drinking alcohol in early adulthood, in females. Emotional and behavioral difficulties experienced in early childhood may mediate the relationship between earlier GA and never drinking by age 18.
Keywords:
Alcohol Dependence; Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children; Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties; Gestational Age at Birth; Parental Environment
Authors: A Johnson; U Bowler; P Yudkin; C Hockley; U Wariyar; F Gardner; L Mutch Journal: Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed Date: 2003-05 Impact factor: 5.747
Authors: Stephen Jarvis; Svetlana V Glinianaia; Maria-Giulia Torrioli; Mary-Jane Platt; Maria Miceli; Pierre-Simon Jouk; Ann Johnson; Jane Hutton; Karla Hemming; Gudrun Hagberg; Helen Dolk; James Chalmers Journal: Lancet Date: 2003-10-04 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Joseph Murray; Stephen Burgess; Luisa Zuccolo; Matthew Hickman; Ron Gray; Sarah J Lewis Journal: J Child Psychol Psychiatry Date: 2015-11-21 Impact factor: 8.982