Heavy Episodic Drinking Among Adolescents: The Association with Negative Mood Statesand Family Factors

Abstract

Background: Heavy episodic drinking is widespread among adolescents, with serious health risks, including abuse / dependence in adulthood. The aimof this paper is to analyze the influence of negativemood states and some family variables on this type of drinking behavior among Catalan adolescents. Methods: Cross sectional study of a representative sample of adolescents (age 14-18 years) from Catalonia (Second Wave, Panel of Families and Children) (2006-2010). Separate logistic regression models are run for women (n = 1,459) and men (n = 1,105) to assess whether negative mood states (self-perceived) are associated with heavy episodic drinking measured as binge drinking at least twice a month or more in the last year. It is estimated to what extent these effects are attributable to familial factors. Results: Feelings of sadness are associated with binge drinking among male adolescents (OR 2.7). Feeling pressured by parents keeps also a positive association with binge drinking among both sexes (OR 1.8 for males and OR 2.1 for women). Women from low-middle and high income groups are more likely to engage in binge drinking (OR 1.6 and OR, 1.7 respectively). Migrant family background (OR 0.4) and parental control of arrival home on weekend (OR 0.6) are negatively related to binge drinking among female adolescents. Conclusions: Negative mood states are associated with heavy episodic drinking. Socio-economic and family factors have stronger effect on women than on men.