Components of Negative Affect As Moderators of the Relationship Between Early Drinking Onset and Binge-Drinking Behavior

Abstract

This study examines the moderating effects of negative affect on the relationship between early drinking onset and binge-drinking behavior. Six hundred and thirty-five eleventh- and twelfth-grade students completed the American Drug and Alcohol Survey and reported on a variety of measures, including items assessing anxiety, anger, depression, age first drunk, and current level of binge drinking. Results indicate that males that began drinking at age 12 or younger and reported higher levels of anxiety and depression showed higher current levels of binge drinking compared to later onset drinking males. In addition, female early onset drinkers with higher levels of anger showed lower current levels of binge drinking compared to later onset drinking females. Results are discussed in regard to understanding and preventing binge-drinking behavior.

KEYWORDS:

• adolescents
• age of drinking onset
• binge drinking
• gender differences
• negative affect

Notes

Note. Zero order correlations for early onset drinkers are listed above the diagonal, and later onset drinkers are listed below the diagonal. Female correlations are listed in parentheses.

∗p < .05, ∗∗p < .01.

∗p < .05, ∗∗p < .01, ∗∗∗p < .001, †p = .06.