Ye Z Pogue1, Jahn K Hakes2, Frank A Sloan3. 1. a Heller School for Social Policy and Management , Brandeis University , Waltham , Massachusetts , USA. 2. b Center for Administrative Records and Research Applications , US Census Bureau , Suitland , Maryland , USA. 3. c Department of Economics , Duke University , Durham , North Carolina , USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Alcohol-impaired driving causes a substantial proportion of motor vehicle accidents. Depression is a prevalent psychiatric disorder among drinker-drivers. Few previous studies have investigated the relationship between major depression and alcohol-impaired driving. OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether depression has a positive relationship with the probability of alcohol-impaired driving after controlling for the co-occurrence of binge drinking and alcohol dependence. METHODS: Our data consisted of drinkers aged 21-64 years from two waves of the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions. Cross-sectional analysis investigated whether depression is an independent risk factor for drinking-driving. Longitudinal analysis distinguished the relationship of depression onset, continuance, and recovery with changes in drinking-driving behaviors between the waves. These dual approaches allowed comparisons with previous studies. RESULTS: Major depression was a small but statistically significant predictor of changes in alcohol-impaired driving behaviors among males but not females. Binge drinking and alcohol dependence were comparatively stronger predictors. Conclusions/Importance: There is limited empirical support that treating depression reduces drinking and driving in males who do not exhibit symptoms of alcohol use disorders. For persons with co-occurring depression and alcohol use disorders, depression treatment should be part of a strategy for treating alcohol use disorders which are highly related to drinking and driving.
BACKGROUND:Alcohol-impaired driving causes a substantial proportion of motor vehicle accidents. Depression is a prevalent psychiatric disorder among drinker-drivers. Few previous studies have investigated the relationship between major depression and alcohol-impaired driving. OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether depression has a positive relationship with the probability of alcohol-impaired driving after controlling for the co-occurrence of binge drinking and alcohol dependence. METHODS: Our data consisted of drinkers aged 21-64 years from two waves of the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions. Cross-sectional analysis investigated whether depression is an independent risk factor for drinking-driving. Longitudinal analysis distinguished the relationship of depression onset, continuance, and recovery with changes in drinking-driving behaviors between the waves. These dual approaches allowed comparisons with previous studies. RESULTS:Major depression was a small but statistically significant predictor of changes in alcohol-impaired driving behaviors among males but not females. Binge drinking and alcohol dependence were comparatively stronger predictors. Conclusions/Importance: There is limited empirical support that treating depression reduces drinking and driving in males who do not exhibit symptoms of alcohol use disorders. For persons with co-occurring depression and alcohol use disorders, depression treatment should be part of a strategy for treating alcohol use disorders which are highly related to drinking and driving.
Entities:
Keywords:
Alcohol-impaired driving; National Epidemiological Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC); alcohol use disorder (AUD); binge drinking; depression
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