The Association of Risk-Related Behaviors and Mental Health Symptomatology on Problematic Alcohol Use Among U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers.
Mehreen Arif, D Lynn Homish, Lisa D Butler, Jessica A Kulak, R Lorraine Collins, Gregory G Homish
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective: We sought to examine the association of risk behaviors (i.e., risk perception, risk-taking/impulsivity, and sensation-seeking) and mental health symptomatology (depression, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], anxiety and anger) on problematic alcohol use (alcohol problems and frequent heavy drinking [FHD]) among United States Army Reserve and National Guard (USAR/NG) soldiers.
Methods: Cross-sectional data (N = 343) from Operation: SAFETY (Soldiers And Families Excelling Through the Years), an ongoing study of USAR/NG soldiers were utilized. Negative binomial regression models investigated risk behaviors and alcohol use controlling for age and sex, with interaction models among risk behaviors and mental health symptoms.
Results: Greater risk perception was associated with a lower likelihood of alcohol problems (p < .05), and FHD (p < .01). Greater risk-taking/impulsivity was associated with a greater likelihood of alcohol problems (p < .01). Interaction models showed moderate risk-taking/impulsivity and high sensation-seeking with depression predicted greater alcohol problems (p < .01, respectively). Greater sensation-seeking and PTSD symptomatology, and sensation-seeking and anxiety were associated with increased alcohol problems (p < .05, respectively). Moderate risk-taking/impulsivity and depression (p < .05), greater risk perception and greater sensation-seeking and anxiety had the highest probability of FHD (p < .05 and p < .01, respectively). No associations between risk behaviors and anger were observed.
Conclusions: This study assesses the combined associations of risk behaviors and mental health on alcohol use among USAR/NG soldiers. USAR/NG soldiers may benefit from alcohol use interventions that target risk-taking/impulsivity, sensation-seeking behaviors, and mental health symptomatology such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety.
期刊介绍:
For over 50 years, Substance Use & Misuse (formerly The International Journal of the Addictions) has provided a unique international multidisciplinary venue for the exchange of original research, theories, policy analyses, and unresolved issues concerning substance use and misuse (licit and illicit drugs, alcohol, nicotine, and eating disorders). Guest editors for special issues devoted to single topics of current concern are invited.
Topics covered include:
Clinical trials and clinical research (treatment and prevention of substance misuse and related infectious diseases)
Epidemiology of substance misuse and related infectious diseases
Social pharmacology
Meta-analyses and systematic reviews
Translation of scientific findings to real world clinical and other settings
Adolescent and student-focused research
State of the art quantitative and qualitative research
Policy analyses
Negative results and intervention failures that are instructive
Validity studies of instruments, scales, and tests that are generalizable
Critiques and essays on unresolved issues
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