The effect of moderate alcohol use on the relationship between stress and depression

R.I. Lipton

American Journal of Public Health, 1994, vol. 84, issue 12, 1913-1917

Abstract: Objectives. The purpose of the study was to determine whether moderate school use mediates or buffers the effect of stress on depression in a group of non-Hispanic White men and women. Methods. Data are from the Los Angeles Epidemiological Catchment Area cohort. Individuals were assessed at two time periods, 1 year apart. Mean depression scores were analyzed for each level of stress and alcohol use. Results. In the simultaneous presence of both chronic strain and negative life events, a U-shaped pattern was observed in which abstainers and light and heavy drinkers had higher depression scores at the second time period than did light-moderate and moderate alcohol users. The U- shaped relationship remained when the effects of sex, age, and physical health status were controlled. Conclusions. Light-moderate and moderate drinkers had less depression in the presence of stress than persons in other more extreme drinking categories. Moderate alcohol use may serve as a proxy for a spectrum of generally moderate behaviors that either attenuate the effect of stress on depression or suppress the effects of stress.

Date: 1994
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1994:84:12:1913-1917_9

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