Young adult social development as a mediator of alcohol use disorder symptoms from age 21 to 30.

• DOI: 10.1037/a0034970
• Publication Date: 2014-06-23T16:15:10Z
• Authors: Rick Kosterman; Karl G. Hill; Jungeun Olivia Lee; Meredith C. Meacham; Robert D. Abbott; Richard F. Catalano; J. David Hawkins
• Keywords: Prosocial Behavior; Alcohol use disorder; Association (psychology); Longitudinal Study

Little research has examined social development in the young adult years relative to childhood and adolescence. This study tested hypothesized pathways of model (SDM) adulthood for predicting symptoms alcohol use disorder (AUD) positive functioning at age 30. A longitudinal panel originally drawn from Seattle, Washington, elementary schools was examined. The sample included 808 participants with high retention gender balanced ethnically diverse. Analyses focused on ages 21, 27, SDM constructs were assessed self-reports past-year behavior combined multiple life domains. AUD corresponding Diagnostic Statistical Manual Mental Disorders, fourth edition (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) criteria using Interview Schedule. Positive measures constructive engagement work school, civic engagement, physical exercise, lack depressive symptoms. found that moderately stable 21 30; however, developmental by 27 played a significant role partially mediating this association. Alcohol-specific factors key mechanisms, whereas prosocial little role. Conversely, had an important 30, there no involving alcohol-specific factors. Findings suggest is not too late interventions targeting help diminish such as reducing perceived opportunities or rewards heavy challenging beliefs accepting drunkenness are likely be ingredients effective interventions.