James H Conigrave1,2, Emma L Bradshaw3, Katherine M Conigrave4,5,6, Richard M Ryan3, Scott Wilson4,7, Jimmy Perry7, Michael F Doyle4,5, K S Kylie Lee4,5,8,9. 1. Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Indigenous Health and Alcohol, The University of Sydney, Drug Health Services, Level 6 King George V Building, 83-117 Missenden Road, Camperdown, 2050, NSW, Australia. james.conigrave@sydney.edu.au. 2. The Edith Collins Centre (Translational Research in Alcohol, Drugs and Toxicology), Drug Health Services, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia. james.conigrave@sydney.edu.au. 3. Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, Australia. 4. Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Indigenous Health and Alcohol, The University of Sydney, Drug Health Services, Level 6 King George V Building, 83-117 Missenden Road, Camperdown, 2050, NSW, Australia. 5. The Edith Collins Centre (Translational Research in Alcohol, Drugs and Toxicology), Drug Health Services, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 6. Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia. 7. Aboriginal Drug & Alcohol Council SA, Aboriginal Corporation, Underdale, SA, Australia. 8. National Drug Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences,, Curtin University, Perth, Australia. 9. Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Unhealthy alcohol use is a key concern for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ('Indigenous Australian') communities. Due to systematic disadvantage and inter-generational trauma, Indigenous Australians may be less likely to have satisfied basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness). When people are need-thwarted, they may engage in compensatory behaviours to feel better in the short-term. We explore the relationship between perceived basic psychological needs satisfaction and alcohol consumption use among Indigenous Australians. Better understanding the functions that alcohol may play for some Indigenous Australian drinkers may aid communities, clinicians, and policy makers in improving programs for reducing drinking-related harms. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional survey of Indigenous Australians (aged 16 years or older) living in two South Australian communities. Participants were eligible if they had consumed any alcohol in the past 12 months. Spearman correlations and linear regressions were used to determine if feeling more autonomous, competent, and related to others (need satisfied) while drinking, was linked to alcohol consumption and dependence. RESULTS: Controlling for participant demographics, reporting feeling need satisfied while drinking was linked to drinking more alcohol per day, reporting more frequent symptoms of alcohol dependence, spending more money on alcohol, and scoring higher on the AUDIT-C. CONCLUSIONS: Unhealthy drinking may partly stem from attempts to satisfy basic psychological needs. Programs which support Indigenous Australians to meet basic psychological needs could reduce attempts to meet psychological needs through alcohol consumption.
BACKGROUND: Unhealthy alcohol use is a key concern for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ('Indigenous Australian') communities. Due to systematic disadvantage and inter-generational trauma, Indigenous Australians may be less likely to have satisfied basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness). When people are need-thwarted, they may engage in compensatory behaviours to feel better in the short-term. We explore the relationship between perceived basic psychological needs satisfaction and alcohol consumption use among Indigenous Australians. Better understanding the functions that alcohol may play for some Indigenous Australian drinkers may aid communities, clinicians, and policy makers in improving programs for reducing drinking-related harms. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional survey of Indigenous Australians (aged 16 years or older) living in two South Australian communities. Participants were eligible if they had consumed any alcohol in the past 12 months. Spearman correlations and linear regressions were used to determine if feeling more autonomous, competent, and related to others (need satisfied) while drinking, was linked to alcohol consumption and dependence. RESULTS: Controlling for participant demographics, reporting feeling need satisfied while drinking was linked to drinking more alcohol per day, reporting more frequent symptoms of alcohol dependence, spending more money on alcohol, and scoring higher on the AUDIT-C. CONCLUSIONS: Unhealthy drinking may partly stem from attempts to satisfy basic psychological needs. Programs which support Indigenous Australians to meet basic psychological needs could reduce attempts to meet psychological needs through alcohol consumption.
Authors: James H Conigrave; K S Kylie Lee; Catherine Zheng; Scott Wilson; Jimmy Perry; Tanya Chikritzhs; Tim Slade; Kirsten Morley; Robin Room; Sarah Callinan; Noel Hayman; Katherine M Conigrave Journal: Addiction Date: 2020-04-01 Impact factor: 6.526