Alcohol Use among American Indian Adolescents and Young Adults: Longitudinal Change and Life Course Transitions

• In Event: 068 - Regular Session. Changing Nature and Impact of Substance Use among Youth and Young Adults

Abstract

American Indians are disproportionately burdened by alcohol-related problems. Yet, research exploring predictors of alcohol use among American Indians has been limited by cross-sectional designs and reservation-based samples. Thus, guided by a life course developmental perspective, the current study used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to explore alcohol use among American Indians. The goals of the study were twofold: A) To explore the developmental trajectory of alcohol use (i.e., current drinking, drinking quantity, and binge drinking frequency) from adolescence through early adulthood, and B) To examine whether adult social roles (i.e., cohabitation, marriage, parenthood, college enrollment, full-time work) shape the rise and fall of alcohol use during this period. Multi-level models demonstrated that alcohol use trajectories differed for American Indians and non-Hispanic Whites: American Indians initiated alcohol use and heavy drinking earlier, but drank less during their early twenties. Furthermore, adult social roles were linked to alcohol use among American Indians. Becoming a parent was linked to a lower likelihood of being a current drinker, fewer alcoholic drinks, and less frequent binge drinking. Full-time work was associated with a higher likelihood of being a current drinker and more frequent binge drinking. Results point to the importance of exploring within-group trajectories of alcohol use and highlight the protective and risky nature of adult social roles among American Indians.

Authors

• Kaylin Greene, Montana State University

• Tamela McNulty Eitle, Montana State University

• David J. Eitle, Montana State University