Identifying the Role of Mediators and Moderators on the Relationship between Early Traumatic Experiences and Problematic Alcohol Use: A Systematic Review and Longitudinal Study
Date
2023-05-18
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Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Despite a robust association between early traumatic experiences (ETEs) and problematic alcohol use, there is a dearth of longitudinal studies that have directly investigated this relationship in adolescents. Furthermore, previous studies have neglected the effect of important mediating and moderating variables. The current project aims to bridge these gaps and expand the literature on the trauma-addiction link using two distinct studies. Methods: Study 1 consisted of a systematic review that investigated the relationship between ETEs and problematic alcohol use using longitudinal studies where temporality was established. Study 2 employed a longitudinal dataset to investigate the relationship between ETEs and problematic alcohol use in adolescents, with a focus on mediating (externalizing behaviours and internalizing behaviours) and moderating (sex) effects. The data was collected over the course of 5-years via questionnaires and in-person interviews and was analyzed using latent growth curve models. Results: In Study 1, six of the nine prospective studies demonstrated a significant positive relationship between ETEs and problematic alcohol use. In Study 2, the first model showed that higher trauma severity was significantly associated with greater problematic alcohol use severity at baseline. Further, growth in trauma severity was associated with significant growth in problematic alcohol use severity over time. The second model indicated there was a positive relationship between trauma and problematic alcohol use severity at baseline for both males and females, but that this relationship was significantly stronger in females. The final mediation model showed that internalizing and externalizing behaviours mediated the relationship between trauma and problematic alcohol use severity at baseline and over time. Conclusion: The results from these studies advance our understanding of the relationship between ETEs and the development of alcohol use problems later in life. Study 1 lends evidence to the notion that ETEs are a risk factor for problematic alcohol use. Study 2 showed that internalizing and externalizing behaviours mediate the relationship between ETEs and problematic alcohol use, making these behaviours a good target in treatment for trauma-exposed youth.
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Keywords
problematic alcohol use, adolescents, latent growth curve modelling, early traumatic experiences, childhood abuse, internalizing behaviours, externalizing behaviours, moderators, mediators
Citation
Sharif-Razi, M. (2023). Identifying the role of mediators and moderators on the relationship between early traumatic experiences and problematic alcohol use: a systematic review and longitudinal study (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.