The longitudinal impact of depressive symptoms on adolescent alcohol use; the role of peer alcohol use and parental warmth

Abstract

Background. Adolescent alcohol use induces multiple public health challenges such as poor physical and mental health, decreasing life expectancy, unemployment, and alcohol abuse. Drinking alcohol can operate as a coping mechanism for depressive symptoms. Previous research shows that peers and parents play a vital role in adolescent alcohol use. In this study the moderating role of peers and parents on the relationship between depressive symptoms and adolescent alcohol use is investigated longitudinally. Methods. 1818 participants from the TRAILS study were included. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to test the effect of depressive symptoms at baseline on adolescent alcohol use after 5 years. Subsequently, a moderation analysis was conducted to test the moderating role of peer alcohol use and parental warmth. Results. Significant predictors of alcohol use after 5 years were sex, adolescent alcohol use at T2 and peer alcohol use. Age, depressive symptoms and parental warmth were not. No interaction effects were found for peer alcohol use and parental warmth. Conclusion This study highlights the importance of contextual factors when examining adolescent alcohol use. Peer alcohol use appears to make adolescents more likely to drink themselves. Future research should lead to more insight into the mechanism of peer influence on adolescent alcohol use.