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Thomas NS, Gillespie NA, Chan G, Edenberg HJ, Kamarajan C, Kuo SIC, Miller AP, Nurnberger JI, Tischfield J, Dick DM, Salvatore JE. A Developmentally-Informative Genome-wide Association Study of Alcohol Use Frequency. Behav Genet 2024; 54:151-168. [PMID: 38108996 PMCID: PMC10913412 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-023-10170-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Contemporary genome-wide association study (GWAS) methods typically do not account for variability in genetic effects throughout development. We applied genomic structural equation modeling to combine developmentally-informative phenotype data and GWAS to create polygenic scores (PGS) for alcohol use frequency that are specific to developmental stage. Longitudinal cohort studies targeted for gene-identification analyses include the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (adolescence n = 1,118, early adulthood n = 2,762, adulthood n = 5,255), the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (adolescence n = 3,089, early adulthood n = 3,993, adulthood n = 5,149), and the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC; adolescence n = 5,382, early adulthood n = 3,613). PGS validation analyses were conducted in the COGA sample using an alternate version of the discovery analysis with COGA removed. Results suggest that genetic liability for alcohol use frequency in adolescence may be distinct from genetic liability for alcohol use frequency later in developmental periods. The age-specific PGS predicts an increase of 4 drinking days per year per PGS standard deviation when modeled separately from the common factor PGS in adulthood. The current work was underpowered at all steps of the analysis plan. Though small sample sizes and low statistical power limit the substantive conclusions that can be drawn regarding these research questions, this work provides a foundation for future genetic studies of developmental variability in the genetic underpinnings of alcohol use behaviors and genetically-informed, age-matched phenotype prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel S Thomas
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 842018, Richmond, VA, 23284-2018, USA.
| | - Nathan A Gillespie
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Grace Chan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Howard J Edenberg
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Chella Kamarajan
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Sally I-Chun Kuo
- Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Alex P Miller
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Jay Tischfield
- Department of Genetics, Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Danielle M Dick
- Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Jessica E Salvatore
- Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
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2
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Sheerin CM, O’Hara-Payne RK, Lancaster EE, Suarez-Rivas H, Chatzinakos C, Prom-Wormley EC, Peterson RE. Examining interactions between polygenic scores and interpersonal trauma exposure on alcohol consumption and use disorder in an ancestrally diverse college cohort. Front Genet 2024; 14:1274381. [PMID: 38361984 PMCID: PMC10868390 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1274381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Genetic factors impact alcohol consumption and use disorder (AUD), with large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identifying numerous associated variants. Aggregate genetic methods in combination with important environmental factors (e.g., interpersonal trauma [IPT]) can be applied to expand our understanding of the ways by which genetic and environmental variables work together to influence alcohol consumption and disordered use. The present study aimed to detail the relationships between genome-wide polygenic scores (PGS) for alcohol phenotypes (i.e., alcohol consumption and AUD status) and IPT exposure as well as the interaction between them across ancestry. Methods: Data were drawn from the Spit for Science (S4S) study, a US college student population, where participants reported on IPT exposure prior to college and alcohol consumption and problems during college (N = 9,006; ancestry: 21.3% African [AFR], 12.5% Admixed Americas [AMR], 9.6% East Asian [EAS], 48.1% European [EUR], 8.6% South Asian [SAS]). Two trans-ancestry PGS were constructed, one for alcohol consumption and another for AUD, using large-scale GWAS summary statistics from multiple ancestries weighted using PRS-CSx. Regression models were applied to test for the presence of associations between alcohol-PGS and IPT main and interaction effects. Results: In the meta-analysis across ancestry groups, IPT exposure and PGS were significantly associated with alcohol consumption (βIPT = 0.31, P IPT = 0.0002; βPGS = 0.09, P PGS = 0.004) and AUD (ORIPT = 1.12, P IPT = 3.5 × 10-8; ORPGS = 1.02, P PGS = 0.002). No statistically significant interactions were detected between IPT and sex nor between IPT and PGS. When inspecting ancestry specific results, the alcohol consumption-PGS and AUD-PGS were only statistically significant in the EUR ancestry group (βPGS = 0.09, P PGS = 0.04; ORPGS = 1.02, P PGS = 0.022, respectively). Discussion: IPT exposure prior to college was strongly associated with alcohol outcomes in this college-age sample, which could be used as a preventative measure to identify students at high risk for problematic alcohol use. Additionally, results add to developing evidence of polygenic score association in meta-analyzed samples, highlighting the importance of continued efforts to increase ancestral representation in genetic studies and inclusive analytic approaches to increase the generalizability of results from genetic association studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M. Sheerin
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Rowan K. O’Hara-Payne
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Center for Biological Data Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Eva E. Lancaster
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Hailie Suarez-Rivas
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Chris Chatzinakos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States
- Institute for Genomics in Health, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States
| | - Elizabeth C. Prom-Wormley
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Roseann E. Peterson
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States
- Institute for Genomics in Health, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States
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3
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Meyers JL, McCutcheon VV, Horne-Osipenko KA, Waters LR, Barr P, Chan G, Chorlian DB, Johnson EC, Kuo SIC, Kramer JR, Dick DM, Kuperman S, Kamarajan C, Pandey G, Singman D, de Viteri SSS, Salvatore JE, Bierut LJ, Foroud T, Goate A, Hesselbrock V, Nurnberger J, Plaweck MH, Schuckit MA, Agrawal A, Edenberg HJ, Bucholz KK, Porjesz B. COVID-19 pandemic stressors are associated with reported increases in frequency of drunkenness among individuals with a history of alcohol use disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:311. [PMID: 37803048 PMCID: PMC10558437 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02577-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Some sources report increases in alcohol use have been observed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among women. Cross-sectional studies suggest that specific COVID-19-related stressful experiences (e.g., social disconnection) may be driving such increases in the general population. Few studies have explored these topics among individuals with a history of Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD), an especially vulnerable population. Drawing on recent data collected by the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA; COVID-19 study N = 1651, 62% women, age range: 30-91) in conjunction with AUD history data collected on the sample since 1990, we investigated associations of COVID-19 related stressors and coping activities with changes in drunkenness frequency since the start of the pandemic. Analyses were conducted for those without a history of AUD (N: 645) and three groups of participants with a history of AUD prior to the start of the pandemic: (1) those experiencing AUD symptoms (N: 606), (2) those in remission who were drinking (N: 231), and (3) those in remission who were abstinent (had not consumed alcohol for 5+ years; N: 169). Gender-stratified models were also examined. Exploratory analyses examined the moderating effects of 'problematic alcohol use' polygenic risk scores (PRS) and neural connectivity (i.e., posterior interhemispheric alpha EEG coherence) on associations between COVID-19 stressors and coping activities with changes in the frequency of drunkenness. Increases in drunkenness frequency since the start of the pandemic were higher among those with a lifetime AUD diagnosis experiencing symptoms prior to the start of the pandemic (14% reported increased drunkenness) when compared to those without a history of AUD (5% reported increased drunkenness). Among individuals in remission from AUD prior to the start of the pandemic, rates of increased drunkenness were 10% for those who were drinking pre-pandemic and 4% for those who had previously been abstinent. Across all groups, women reported nominally greater increases in drunkenness frequency when compared with men, although only women experiencing pre-pandemic AUD symptoms reported significantly greater rates of increased drunkenness since the start of the pandemic compared to men in this group (17% of women vs. 5% of men). Among those without a prior history of AUD, associations between COVID-19 risk and protective factors with increases in drunkenness frequency were not observed. Among all groups with a history of AUD (including those with AUD symptoms and those remitted from AUD), perceived stress was associated with increases in drunkenness. Among the remitted-abstinent group, essential worker status was associated with increases in drunkenness. Gender differences in these associations were observed: among women in the remitted-abstinent group, essential worker status, perceived stress, media consumption, and decreased social interactions were associated with increases in drunkenness. Among men in the remitted-drinking group, perceived stress was associated with increases in drunkenness, and increased relationship quality was associated with decreases in drunkenness. Exploratory analyses indicated that associations between family illness or death with increases in drunkenness and increased relationship quality with decreases in drunkenness were more pronounced among the remitted-drinking participants with higher PRS. Associations between family illness or death, media consumption, and economic hardships with increases in drunkenness and healthy coping with decreases in drunkenness were more pronounced among the remitted-abstinent group with lower interhemispheric alpha EEG connectivity. Our results demonstrated that only individuals with pre-pandemic AUD symptoms reported greater increases in drunkenness frequency since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to those without a lifetime history of AUD. This increase was more pronounced among women than men in this group. However, COVID-19-related stressors and coping activities were associated with changes in the frequency of drunkenness among all groups of participants with a prior history of AUD, including those experiencing AUD symptoms, as well as abstinent and non-abstinent participants in remission. Perceived stress, essential worker status, media consumption, social connections (especially for women), and relationship quality (especially for men) are specific areas of focus for designing intervention and prevention strategies aimed at reducing pandemic-related alcohol misuse among this particularly vulnerable group. Interestingly, these associations were not observed for individuals without a prior history of AUD, supporting prior literature that demonstrates that widespread stressors (e.g., pandemics, terrorist attacks) disproportionately impact the mental health and alcohol use of those with a prior history of problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn L Meyers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
| | - Vivia V McCutcheon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Kristina A Horne-Osipenko
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Lawrence R Waters
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Peter Barr
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Grace Chan
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - David B Chorlian
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Emma C Johnson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Sally I-Chun Kuo
- Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - John R Kramer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Danielle M Dick
- Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Samuel Kuperman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Chella Kamarajan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Gayathri Pandey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Dzov Singman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Stacey Subbie-Saenz de Viteri
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Jessica E Salvatore
- Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Laura J Bierut
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Tatiana Foroud
- Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alison Goate
- Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Victor Hesselbrock
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - John Nurnberger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Martin H Plaweck
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Marc A Schuckit
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego Medical School, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Arpana Agrawal
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Howard J Edenberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Kathleen K Bucholz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Bernice Porjesz
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
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4
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Sheerin CM, Kuo SIC, Smith RL, Bannard T, Gentry AE, Dick DM, Amstadter AB. COVID and college: how the pandemic impacted alcohol use disorder status among students. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2022:1-8. [PMID: 36469936 PMCID: PMC10239786 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2133963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Alcohol consumption patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic have varied notably. Participants: We examined the acute impact of the pandemic on alcohol use disorder (AUD) in a generalizable sample of college students who were surveyed pre-pandemic and re-surveyed in May 2020. Method: Items assessed pre-pandemic included DSM-5 AUD and mental health symptoms. A COVID-19 impacts questionnaire was administered, and alcohol and mental health items re-assessed. Results: AUD symptoms decreased from pre-pandemic to during the pandemic, demonstrating a change in trajectory compared to prior cohorts. Students with persistent AUD reported greater concurrent symptoms of PTSD, depression, and alcohol consumption than those with remitted AUD (ps ≤ .02), but not increased COVID-19 impact. Persistent AUD status was predicted by higher sensation seeking and alcohol consumption. Conclusions: Students with concurrent mental health problems are at continued risk for persistent AUD. Findings highlight the impact of the college environment and social context for drinking on AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M. Sheerin
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E. Leigh St., Richmond, VA, 23298
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1200 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23298
| | - Sally I-Chun Kuo
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA, 23284
| | - Rebecca L. Smith
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA, 23284
| | - Thomas Bannard
- Rams in Recovery, University Counseling Services, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1103 W. Marshall Street, Richmond, VA, 23284
| | - Amanda E. Gentry
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E. Leigh St., Richmond, VA, 23298
| | - Danielle M. Dick
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA, 23284
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 E. Marshall Street, Richmond, VA, 23298
| | - Ananda B. Amstadter
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E. Leigh St., Richmond, VA, 23298
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1200 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23298
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA, 23284
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, 203 E. Cary Street, Richmond, VA, 23219
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5
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Cusack SE, Bountress KE, Lind MJ, Hawn SE, Dick DM, Amstadter AB. Trauma exposure, alcohol consumption, and sleep quality: a latent growth curve model. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2022; 70:2126-2134. [PMID: 33258742 PMCID: PMC8166935 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1845181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the relations among precollege trauma exposure, alcohol use upon entering college, growth in alcohol use, and sleep quality in a sample of undergraduate students. Participants were 932 students from a large, urban, public university. Participants completed a survey upon entering college and then subsequent follow-up surveys each Spring semester. Precollege trauma exposure was associated with both baseline and growth in alcohol use, whereby higher levels of trauma were associated with higher baseline alcohol use, but with less steep increases in growth rate, as compared to those with lower levels of trauma. Baseline alcohol use was associated with sleep quality whereby those with higher levels of consumption demonstrated worsened sleep quality. This study provides longitudinal evidence for the relations among trauma, alcohol use, and sleep quality. Although the relationship between trauma and alcohol is well-established, further work is needed to identify how this relationship impacts additional health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Cusack
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - K E Bountress
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - M J Lind
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - S E Hawn
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - D M Dick
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - A B Amstadter
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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6
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Cusack SE, Bountress KE, Denckla CA, Vassileva J, Dick DM, Amstadter AB. A Longitudinal Investigation of Resilience as a Protective Factor During the COVID-19 Pandemic. TRAUMATOLOGY 2022; 28:403-410. [PMID: 36504730 PMCID: PMC9731141 DOI: 10.1037/trm0000397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 is a global stressor that has been shown to impact mental health outcomes. Given that COVID-19 is a unique stressor that has been shown to have mental health consequences, identifying protective factors is imperative. The protective influences of resilience are demonstrated through the extant literature, though less is known about resilience and COVID-19 impact. The current study seeks to expand the existing literature on resilience, and on mental health outcomes influenced by COVID-19, by longitudinally investigating relative resilience as a buffer against posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and alcohol consumption, in the wake of a global pandemic. Participants included 549 undergraduates with a history of lifetime trauma exposure. Using a longitudinal path model, we tested the interaction between relative resilience (i.e., an individual's deviation from distress levels predicted by prior trauma exposure relative to other individuals in the same cohort) and COVID-19 impact domains (i.e., social media use, worry, exposure, change in substance use, and housing/food insecurity) on PTSD symptoms and alcohol consumption. Findings demonstrate a significant interaction between the COVID-19 worry impact domain and baseline resilience on later PTSD symptoms, whereby COVID-19 worry impacts PTSD symptoms at low levels of resilience (β = .26, p < .001), marginally impacts PTSD symptoms at mean levels of resilience (β = .09, p = .05), and does not impact PTSD symptoms at high levels of resilience (β = -.08, p = .16). There were no significant main effects nor interaction effects of resilience on alcohol consumption. This article adds to the literature on resilience and COVID-19 through examining both internalizing (i.e., PTSD) and substance use outcomes, using longitudinal data, and using a quantitative measure of resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christy A. Denckla
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
| | | | - Jasmin Vassileva
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University
| | - Danielle M. Dick
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University
| | - Ananda B. Amstadter
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University
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7
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Bountress KE, Cusack SE, Conley AH, Aggen SH, The Spit For Science Working Group, Vassileva J, Dick DM, Amstadter AB. The COVID-19 pandemic impacts psychiatric outcomes and alcohol use among college students. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2022; 13:2022279. [PMID: 35186215 PMCID: PMC8856034 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2021.2022279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed fundamental challenges on nearly every area of life. OBJECTIVE The purpose of the current study was to expand on the literature on the impact of the pandemic on college students by a) examining domains of impact of the pandemic on psychiatric and alcohol outcomes and b) controlling for pre-pandemic outcomes. METHOD Participants included 897 college students (78.6% female) from a larger longitudinal study on college student mental health. Structural equation models were fit to examine how COVID-19 impact (exposure, worry, food/housing insecurity, change in social media use, change in substance use) were associated with PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and alcohol phenotypes. Models were fit to adjust for pre-pandemic symptoms. RESULTS No effects of COVID-19 exposure remained after adjusting for earlier outcomes. COVID-19 worry predicted PTSD, depression, and anxiety, even after adjusting for earlier levels of outcomes (β's: .091-.180, p's < .05). Housing/food concerns predicted PTSD, anxiety, and depression symptoms as well as suicidal ideation (β's: .085-.551, p's < .05) after adjusting for earlier levels of symptoms. Change in media use predicted alcohol consumption (β's: ± .116-.197, p's < .05). Change in substance use affected all outcomes except suicidality (β's: .112-.591, p's < .05). CONCLUSIONS Domains of COVID-19 impact had differential effects on mental health and substance outcomes in college students during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Future studies should examine the trajectory of these factors on college student mental health across waves of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin E Bountress
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Shannon E Cusack
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Abigail H Conley
- Department of Counseling and Special Education, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Steven H Aggen
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - The Spit For Science Working Group
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Counseling and Special Education, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Jasmin Vassileva
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Danielle M Dick
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Ananda B Amstadter
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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8
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Smith RL, Dick DM, Amstadter A, Thomas N, Salvatore JE. A longitudinal study of the moderating effects of romantic relationships on the associations between alcohol use and trauma in college students. Addiction 2021; 116:3008-3018. [PMID: 33886135 PMCID: PMC8492481 DOI: 10.1111/add.15490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS College students report high levels of alcohol use, which can be exacerbated by interpersonal trauma exposure (IPT). Romantic relationships may represent salient contexts for moderating associations between IPT and alcohol use. We examined whether relationship status, partner alcohol use and relationship satisfaction moderated associations between IPT and alcohol use, and whether these associations varied in a sex-specific manner. DESIGN University-wide longitudinal survey of college students. SETTING Large, urban public university in mid-Atlantic United States. PARTICIPANTS We used two subsets of participants (n = 5673 and 3195) from the Spit for Science project, a longitudinal study of college students. Participants completed baseline assessments during the autumn of their freshman year and were invited to complete follow-up assessments every spring thereafter. Participants were included in the present study if they completed surveys at baseline and at least one follow-up assessment (meanfollow-ups = 1.70, range = 1-4). MEASUREMENTS Predictors included precollege and college-onset IPT, relationship status, partner alcohol use, relationship satisfaction and sex. Alcohol consumption was the primary outcome of interest. Pre-college IPT was measured at baseline and all other measures were assessed at each follow-up. FINDINGS Individuals with pre-college IPT consumed more alcohol than those without IPT, but this was mitigated for those in relationships (β = -0.15, P = 0.046, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.29, 0.00). Individuals with college-onset IPT consumed more alcohol than those without IPT, and this was more pronounced for those with higher partner alcohol use (β = -0.18, P = 0.001, 95% CI = -0.29, -0.07). Relationship satisfaction was not a significant moderator of the associations between IPT and alcohol use (Ps > 0.05 and 95% CIs include 0). CONCLUSIONS Involvement in relationships, but not relationship satisfaction, appears to reduce the effects of interpersonal trauma exposure (IPT) on alcohol use among US college students, while high partner alcohol use appears to exacerbate it. The moderating effects of relationship characteristics depend on the developmental timing of IPT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L. Smith
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 842018, Richmond, VA 23284-2018
| | - Danielle M. Dick
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 842018, Richmond, VA 23284-2018
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box, 980033, Richmond, Virginia 23298
| | - Ananda Amstadter
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 842018, Richmond, VA 23284-2018
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth, University, Box 980126, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - Nathaniel Thomas
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 842018, Richmond, VA 23284-2018
| | | | - Jessica E. Salvatore
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 842018, Richmond, VA 23284-2018
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth, University, Box 980126, Richmond, VA 23298
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9
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Williams KDA, Adkins AE, Kuo SIC, LaRose JG, Utsey SO, Guidry JPD, Dick D, Carlyle KE. Risk, Protective, and Associated Factors of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms and Campus Health Services Utilization Among Black Men on a College Campus. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2021; 9:505-518. [PMID: 33686626 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-021-00981-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to analyze relationships among social and environmental determinants serving as risk, protective, and important covariate factors for mental health risk and help-seeking among Black men on a college campus. METHODS A secondary data analysis was conducted utilizing an ongoing, campus-wide survey at a large, urban, public university. Measures included depressive and anxiety symptoms; campus service utilization; risk factors (e.g., financial status); protective factors (social support/religiosity); and additional covariates (substance use/GPA). Multiple linear regressions were conducted to examine relationships between these factors, symptoms and help-seeking. RESULTS Data is included for 681 students. Findings indicated that stressful life events were associated with higher levels of anxiety symptoms (B = 0.39, p < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (B = 0.33, p = 0.013). Cannabis use (B = 1.14, p = .020) was also associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. We found that financial status (B = 0.21, p = 0.041) was positively associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms and endorsement of religiosity was associated with lower levels anxiety (B = - 0.23, p = 0.019) and depressive symptoms (B = - 0.32, p = 0.035). Religiosity predicted lower utilization of campus health services. CONCLUSIONS The key findings indicated that Black men's mental health is negatively influenced by stressful live events and cannabis use. As religiosity was associated with lower levels of symptoms and utilization, it may be beneficial to assess this in future work. Further research is needed to address and improve mental health and help-seeking among these men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kofoworola D A Williams
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 750 N. Lake Shore Drive, 10th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Amy E Adkins
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University College of Humanities & Sciences, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Sally I-Chun Kuo
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University College of Humanities & Sciences, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Jessica G LaRose
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Shawn O Utsey
- Department of African American Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University College of Humanities & Sciences, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Jeanine P D Guidry
- Robertson School of Media and Culture, Virginia Commonwealth University College of Humanities & Sciences, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | - Danielle Dick
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University College of Humanities & Sciences, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Kellie E Carlyle
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
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10
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Martin CE, Ksinan AJ, Moeller FG, Dick D. Sex-specific risk profiles for substance use among college students. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e01959. [PMID: 33222410 PMCID: PMC7882166 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Growing evidence indicates sex and gender differences exist in substance use. Framed by a lifecourse perspective, we explored prospectively by sex the effects of distal and proximal factors on the initiation of drug use in college. METHODS College students without prior drug use (n = 5,120 females; n = 2,951 males) were followed longitudinally across 4 years. Analyses were estimated as a multigroup survival analysis separately by sex within a latent variable SEM framework with illicit drug use (6 or more times in past year) as the latent factor. RESULTS More males initiated drug use (8.5%) than females (6.4%, χ2 (1) = 10.351, p = .001), but less so for Black males (AOR 0.33, 95% CI [0.18, 0.60]) and females (0.35 [0.23, 0.54]). Students initiating drug use more likely included students smoking cigarettes at baseline (males 1.40 [1.23, 1.59]; females 1.43 [1.24, 1.64]), using alcohol (males 1.04 [1.02, 1.06]; females 1.04 [1.02, 1.06]), or having cannabis using peers (males 1.79 [1.52, 2.11]; females 1.70 [1.49, 1.93]). Impulsivity domain associations differed by sex [negative urgency: females (1.23 [1.02, 1.49) and sensation seeking: males (1.33 [1.01, 1.75])]. History of unwanted/uncomfortable sexual experience predicted drug use for males (1.60 [1.09, 2.35]) and females (1.95 [1.45, 2.62]) but physical assault only for females (1.45 [1.08, 1.94]). Mood symptoms predicted drug use only for males [depression (0.73 [0.56, 0.95]); anxiety (1.40 [1.04, 1.89])]. CONCLUSIONS Risk factors for initiating drug use during college differ by sex. As substance use during early age predisposes one for addiction, sex- and gender-informed interventions for young adults are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E Martin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and VCU Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Albert J Ksinan
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Frederick Gerard Moeller
- Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research and VCU Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Danielle Dick
- Developmental Psychology Program, Department of Psychology and Human & Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | -
- Developmental Psychology Program, Department of Psychology and Human & Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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11
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Chartier KG, Tiarsmith EC, O’Shea T, Kendler KS, Dick DM. College students' use of strategies to hide facial flushing: A target for alcohol education. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2020; 68:922-926. [PMID: 31361579 PMCID: PMC6989374 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2019.1640224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol-related facial flushing occurs in individuals who are unable to metabolize ethanol effectively and is associated with increased cancer risk. This study describes college students' understanding of the meaning of flushing for how much alcohol a person should drink and their use of over-the-counter medications and other strategies to reduce its visible effects. Participants: The sample includes 335 White and Asian college students who reported facial flushing after an alcoholic drink. Methods: Students completed an online survey in the spring of their junior year. Results: Most students reported that flushing had no special meaning for drinking or that they did not know what it meant. Six percent reported ever using strategies to hide facial flushing; they were mostly Asian, and those using these strategies drank more alcohol. Conclusions: Findings identify a need for targeted alcohol education with Asian college students who drink alcohol despite experiencing the flushing response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen G. Chartier
- School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University
| | | | - Taryn O’Shea
- School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University
| | - Kenneth S. Kendler
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Danielle M. Dick
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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12
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E-cigarette use is prospectively associated with initiation of cannabis among college students. Addict Behav 2020; 106:106312. [PMID: 32120197 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
E-cigarettes have dramatically increased in popularity among youth. Coincident with expanded legalization, young adults' use of cannabis (marijuana) has also steadily increased in recent years. Use of tobacco products can increase the chances of later cannabis initiation among youth. However, most longitudinal investigations of tobacco and cannabis use patterns have focused on tobacco cigarettes, included adolescents as opposed to young adults, and have only employed two timepoints. The current study examined prospective associations between e-cigarette and cannabis use in a large, diverse college sample assessed over four timepoints (freshman - senior year; N = 4,670). E-cigarette use and cannabis use were modelled in a four-wave cross-lagged model. The results showed significant bidirectional associations between both substances, even after controlling for time-varying levels of depressive symptoms, alcohol use, and polysubstance use, sensation seeking, demographic variables, concurrent associations and previous levels of use. Moreover, the significance of the predictive path from e-cigarette use to later cannabis use remained unchanged when we ran the same model, but restricted the sample to e-cigarette-only users (i.e., never cigarette smokers), whereas only one prospective path from cannabis to e-cigarette use was significant in this subsample. The current findings suggest that the association of e-cigarette use and cannabis use is likely bidirectional, with stronger support for the link from e-cigarette use to later cannabis use, above and beyond cigarette use. As e-cigarettes gain further hold of the tobacco product market share and cannabis legalization continues to expand, data such as these will be critical for informing regulatory decisions for e-cigarettes and cannabis, particularly involving their accessibility to youth and young adults.
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13
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Corbin WR, Hartman JD, Curlee AS, Zalewski S, Fromme K. The Role of Relationship Changes in College Students' Heavy Episodic Drinking. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2020; 44:1273-1283. [PMID: 32343853 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The beginning of college is a period in which increased alcohol use often coincides with greater involvement in romantic relationships. Existing literature yields inconsistent findings regarding the influence of relationship types on drinking behavior, perhaps because these studies have not accounted for recent changes in the way college students engage in dating/sexual relationships. METHODS The present study sought to address this issue using a longitudinal study design by examining the effects of both relationship type and sexual activity on heavy episodic drinking (HED) among 1,847 college students over the course of the first 3 semesters of college. RESULTS Results indicated that the effects of relationship type depended on whether an individual was sexually active. Nondating but sexually active students reported rates of HED comparable to students who defined themselves as casual daters. Conversely, nondating students who were not sexually active reported drinking behavior similar to those involved in exclusive relationships. Further, transitions between low- and high-risk relationship/sexual activity types were associated with corresponding changes in HED. Transitioning into a high-risk relationship was associated with significant increases in levels of HED, whereas transitioning into a low-risk relationship was associated with significant decreases in HED. CONCLUSIONS Together, results indicate that engaging in nonexclusive dating or casual sexual relationships may play an important role in the development of problematic patterns of alcohol use during the early college years. These findings have potentially important implications both for future research and for prevention and intervention efforts targeting high-risk college drinkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- William R Corbin
- Arizona State University, (WRC, JDH, ASC, SZ), Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | | | | | - Suzanne Zalewski
- Arizona State University, (WRC, JDH, ASC, SZ), Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Kim Fromme
- The University of Texas at Austin, (KF), Austin, Texas, USA
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14
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Su J, Kuo SIC, Derlan CL, Hagiwara N, Guy MC, Dick DM. Racial discrimination and alcohol problems among African American young adults: Examining the moderating effects of racial socialization by parents and friends. CULTURAL DIVERSITY & ETHNIC MINORITY PSYCHOLOGY 2020; 26:260-270. [PMID: 31328948 PMCID: PMC6980251 DOI: 10.1037/cdp0000294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Racial discrimination is a stressor that may put African Americans at risk for alcohol use and related problems. We examined whether experiences of blatant (racist events) and subtle (racial microaggressions) forms of racial discrimination were associated with alcohol consumption and alcohol problems among African American young adults, and whether childhood/adolescence racial socialization by parents and friends moderated these associations. METHOD The sample included 383 African American young adults (Mage = 20.65, SD = 2.28; 81% female) who completed an electronic survey in Fall, 2017. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted in Mplus. RESULTS Experiences of racist events and racial microaggressions were associated with higher levels of alcohol consumption and more alcohol problems. Racial socialization by friends, but not parents, moderated these associations. Specifically, cultural socialization by friends buffered the effect of racist events on alcohol consumption and alcohol problems, whereas promotion of mistrust by friends exacerbated the effect of racial microaggressions on alcohol problems. CONCLUSIONS Both blatant and subtle forms of racial discrimination were associated with higher risk for alcohol use or problems among African American young adults. Racial socialization by friends while growing up may play an important role in alcohol use outcomes during young adulthood. Findings highlight the importance of considering different forms of racial discrimination and emphasize the unique roles of racial socialization across different social contexts (i.e., parent and peers or friends) in relation to psychosocial outcomes among African American individuals. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinni Su
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University
| | | | | | - Nao Hagiwara
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University
| | - Mignonne C. Guy
- Department of African American Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University
| | - Danielle M. Dick
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University
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15
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Ksinan AJ, Su J, Aliev F, Dick DM. Unpacking Genetic Risk Pathways for College Student Alcohol Consumption: The Mediating Role of Impulsivity. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2019; 43:2100-2110. [PMID: 31373688 PMCID: PMC6779491 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The period of college represents a particularly risky developmental stage with regard to alcohol use, as college students engage in more risky drinking behaviors than their noncollege peers, and such problematic alcohol use is associated with far-reaching negative consequences. Existing findings from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) indicate that alcohol consumption has a complex polygenic etiology. Currently, there is a lack of studies examining genetic risk for alcohol consumption using polygenic risk scores (PRS) in college samples. In this study, we examined whether alcohol-specific and risky behavior-related PRS were longitudinally associated with alcohol consumption among college students and whether this effect might be partially mediated by impulsivity domains. METHODS The sample included n = 2,385 European ancestry (EA) and n = 1,153 African ancestry (AA) college students assessed over the course of 4 years. To indicate genetic risk, 2 PRS were created based on recent large-scale GWAS: alcohol consumption (Liu et al., 2019) -drinks per week (DPW)-PRS and risky behaviors (Linnér et al., 2019) -RISK-PRS. The main outcome was alcohol consumption, measured across 4 waves of follow-up data. The UPPS-P impulsivity subscales were examined as mediators of the genetic effect on alcohol consumption. RESULTS The results from structural equation modeling showed that among EA students, both DPW-PRS and RISK-PRS had significant positive effects on alcohol consumption above and beyond UPPS dimensions and control variables. RISK-PRS explained larger portion of variance in alcohol consumption than DPW-PRS. RISK-PRS showed a significant indirect effect on alcohol consumption through sensation seeking and lack of perseverance; no significant indirect effect of DPW-PRS was found. No significant association of either PRS or alcohol consumption was found for AA participants. CONCLUSIONS The current results found that PRS related to more broadly defined risky behaviors predicted alcohol consumption across college years and that this association was partially mediated via dimensions of impulsivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert J. Ksinan
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University,
Richmond, VA 23284
| | - Jinni Su
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University,
Richmond, VA 23284
| | - Fazil Aliev
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University,
Richmond, VA 23284
| | - Spit for Science Workgroup
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University,
Richmond, VA 23284
- The Spit for Science Working Group: Spit for Science
Director: Danielle M. Dick. Registry management: Kimberly Pedersen, Zoe Neale,
Nathaniel Thomas. Data cleaning and management: Amy E. Adkins, Nathaniel Thomas, Zoe
Neale, Kimberly Pedersen, Thomas Bannard & Seung B. Cho. Data collection: Amy E.
Adkins, Peter Barr, Erin C. Berenz, Erin Caraway, Seung B. Cho, James S. Clifford,
Megan Cooke, Elizabeth Do, Alexis C. Edwards, Neeru Goyal, Laura M. Hack, Lisa J.
Halberstadt, Sage Hawn, Sally Kuo, Emily Lasko, Jennifer Lend, Mackenzie Lind,
Elizabeth Long, Alexandra Martelli, Jacquelyn L. Meyers, Kerry Mitchell, Ashlee
Moore, Arden Moscati, Aashir Nasim, Zoe Neale, Jill Opalesky, Cassie Overstreet, A.
Christian Pais, Kimberly Pedersen, Tarah Raldiris, Jessica Salvatore, Jeanne Savage,
Rebecca Smith, David Sosnowski, Jinni Su, Nathaniel Thomas, Chloe Walker, Marcie
Walsh, Teresa Willoughby, Madison Woodroof & Jia Yan. Genotypic data processing
and cleaning: Cuie Sun, Brandon Wormley, Brien Riley, Fazil Aliev, Roseann Peterson
& Bradley T. Webb
| | - Danielle M. Dick
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University,
Richmond, VA 23284
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16
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Smith RL, Salvatore JE, Aliev F, Neale Z, Barr P, Dick DM. Genes, Roommates, and Residence Halls: A Multidimensional Study of the Role of Peer Drinking on College Students' Alcohol Use. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2019; 43:1254-1262. [PMID: 31034622 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Peer drinking is one of the most robust predictors of college students' alcohol use and can moderate students' genetic risk for alcohol use. Peer effect research generally suffers from 2 problems: selection into peer groups and relying more on perceptions of peer alcohol use than peers' self-report. The goal of the present study was to overcome those limitations by capitalizing on a genetically informed sample of randomly assigned college roommates to examine multiple dimensions of peer influence and the interplay between peer effects and genetic predisposition on alcohol use, in the form of polygenic scores. METHODS We used a subsample (n = 755) of participants from a university-wide, longitudinal study at a large, diverse, urban university. Participants reported their own alcohol use during fall and spring and their perceptions of college peers' alcohol use in spring. We matched individuals into their rooms and residence halls to create a composite score of peer-reported alcohol use for each of those levels. We examined multiple dimensions of peer influence and whether peer influence moderated genetic predisposition to predict college students' alcohol use using multilevel models to account for clustering at the room and residence hall level. RESULTS We found that polygenic scores (β = 0.12), perceptions of peer drinking (β = 0.37), and roommates' self-reported drinking (β = 0.10) predicted alcohol use (all ps < 0.001), while average alcohol use across residence hall did not (β = -0.01, p = 0.86). We found no evidence for interactions between peer influence and genome-wide polygenic scores for alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS Our findings underscore the importance of genetic predisposition on individual alcohol use and support the potentially causal nature of the association between peer influence and alcohol use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Smith
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Jessica E Salvatore
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.,Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Fazil Aliev
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.,Faculty of Business, Karabuk University, Karabuk, Turkey
| | - Zoe Neale
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.,Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Peter Barr
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | | | - Danielle M Dick
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.,College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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17
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Bountress KE, Cusack SE, Sheerin CM, Hawn S, Dick DM, Kendler KS, Amstadter AB. Alcohol consumption, interpersonal trauma, and drinking to cope with trauma-related distress: An auto-regressive, cross-lagged model. PSYCHOLOGY OF ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS 2019; 33:221-231. [PMID: 30869917 DOI: 10.1037/adb0000457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol consumption and interpersonal trauma (IPT) co-occur at high rates, particularly in college populations. Two non-mutually-exclusive theories of this comorbidity are the risky behavior model, suggesting that substance use increases likelihood of IPT, and the self-medication model, suggesting that individuals use substances to cope with trauma-related symptoms. Few have simultaneously tested these theories in a sample of college students. Thus, the overarching aim of this longitudinal study (n = 1320) was to identify whether alcohol consumption and IPT are associated with one another, and if IPT and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) impacts use of alcohol to cope with trauma-related distress. Data were collected from a longitudinal study of college students attending a large public university. Participants in the current study were on average 18.46 years old at study entry, primarily female (70%), and of diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds (e.g., 49.4% White, 19.7% Black, 17.2% Asian). Results from auto-regressive, cross-lagged models indicated that alcohol consumption preceded IPT exposure. In contrast, IPT was not prospectively associated with alcohol consumption. Those reporting probable PTSD, but not IPT, reported more use of alcohol to cope with trauma-related distress. These findings provide support for the risky behavior model, indicating that those with higher levels of alcohol consumption may be a vulnerable group in terms of likelihood of IPT. Findings also suggest that those reporting probable PTSD may be at risk for use of alcohol to cope with trauma-related distress. Implications of these findings, in light of study limitations, are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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18
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Hawn SE, Sheerin CM, Webb BT, Peterson RE, Do EK, Dick D, Kendler KS, Bacanu SA, Amstadter AB. Replication of the Interaction of PRKG1 and Trauma Exposure on Alcohol Misuse in an Independent African American Sample. J Trauma Stress 2018; 31:927-932. [PMID: 30376604 PMCID: PMC6295354 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we sought to replicate recent findings of Polimanti et al. (2017), who conducted a genome-wide gene-by-environment interaction study (GEWIS) and identified a gene-by-trauma interaction that predicts alcohol misuse among African Americans. Consistent with the findings published by Polimanti and colleagues, results of the current study demonstrated an interaction effect, b = 0.41, of trauma exposure and rs1729578 in the intron of PRKG1 on alcohol misuse in a subsample of ancestral African Americans. The minor allele (rs1729578*C) was positively associated with increased alcohol use disorder symptoms in trauma-exposed subjects and negatively associated in non-trauma-exposed subjects. This effect, however, was only significant for one out of three alcohol outcome measures we investigated, suggesting the interaction may be most salient when predicting higher severity of alcohol misuse. Additionally, the effect did not remain significant after we accounted for testing the effect on three different outcome variables. Also in line with the original study, the gene-by-environment effect was not demonstrated among the ancestral European subsample. The findings suggest this gene variant may increase an individual's susceptibility to environmental influences, both adverse and supportive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sage E. Hawn
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA,Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Christina M. Sheerin
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Bradley T. Webb
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Roseann E. Peterson
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Elizabeth K. Do
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Danielle Dick
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA,College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Kenneth S. Kendler
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Silviu-Alin Bacanu
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Ananda B. Amstadter
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA,Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Edwards AC, Deak JD, Gizer IR, Lai D, Chatzinakos C, Wilhelmsen KP, Lindsay J, Heron J, Hickman M, Webb BT, Bacanu SA, Foroud TM, Kendler KS, Dick DM, Schuckit MA. Meta-Analysis of Genetic Influences on Initial Alcohol Sensitivity. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2018; 42:2349-2359. [PMID: 30276832 PMCID: PMC6286211 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies indicate that low initial sensitivity to alcohol may be a risk factor for later alcohol misuse. Evidence suggests that initial sensitivity is influenced by genetic factors, but few molecular genetic studies have been reported. METHODS We conducted a meta-analysis of 2 population-based genome-wide association studies of the Self-Rating of the Effects of Alcohol scale. Our final sample consisted of 7,339 individuals (82.3% of European descent; 59.2% female) who reported having used alcohol at least 5 times. In addition, we estimated single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based heritability and conducted a series of secondary aggregate genetic analyses. RESULTS No individual locus reached genome-wide significance. Gene and set based analyses, both overall and using tissue-specific expression data, yielded largely null results, and genes previously implicated in alcohol problems and consumption were overall not associated with initial sensitivity. Only 1 gene set, related to hormone signaling and including core clock genes, survived correction for multiple testing. A meta-analysis of SNP-based heritability resulted in a modest estimate of h SNP 2 = 0.19 (SE = 0.10), though this was driven by 1 sample (N = 3,683, h SNP 2 = 0.36, SE = 0.14, p = 0.04). No significant genetic correlations with other relevant outcomes were observed. CONCLUSIONS Findings yielded only modest support for a genetic component underlying initial alcohol sensitivity. Results suggest that its biological underpinnings may diverge somewhat from that of other alcohol outcomes and may be related to core clock genes or other aspects of hormone signaling. Larger samples, ideally of prospectively assessed samples, are likely necessary to improve gene identification efforts and confirm the current findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis C. Edwards
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, US
| | - Joseph D. Deak
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, US
| | - Ian R. Gizer
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, US
| | - Dongbing Lai
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, US
| | - Chris Chatzinakos
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, US
| | - Kirk P. Wilhelmsen
- Departments of Neurology and Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, US
| | - Jonathan Lindsay
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, US
| | - Jon Heron
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Bradley T. Webb
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, US
| | - Silviu-Alin Bacanu
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, US
| | - Tatiana M. Foroud
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, US
| | - Kenneth S. Kendler
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, US
| | - Danielle M. Dick
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, US
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, US
- College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, US
| | - Marc A. Schuckit
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, US
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20
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Thomas NS, Adkins A, Aliev F, Edwards AC, Webb BT, Tiarsmith EC, Kendler KS, Dick DM, Chartier KG. Alcohol Metabolizing Polygenic Risk for Alcohol Consumption in European American College Students. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2018; 79:627-634. [PMID: 30079879 PMCID: PMC6090104 DOI: 10.15288/jsad.2018.79.627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Evidence suggests that the nature and magnitude of some genetic effects on alcohol use vary by age. We tested for moderation in the effect of an alcohol metabolizing polygenic score by time across the college years. METHOD Participants (total n = 2,214) were drawn from three cohorts of undergraduate college students, who were assessed annually for up to 4 years starting in their freshman year. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) were calculated from genes involved in the metabolism of alcohol, as many of these markers are among the best replicated in association studies examining alcohol use phenotypes. Linear mixed effects models were fit by maximum likelihood to test the main effects of time and the PRS on alcohol consumption, as well as moderation of the PRS effect on alcohol consumption by time. RESULTS In the main effects model, the fixed effects for time and the PRS were positively associated with alcohol consumption. The interaction term testing moderation of the PRS effect by time reached statistical significance and remained statistically significant after other relevant interaction effects were controlled for. The main effect of the PRS accounted for 0.2% of the variance in alcohol consumption, whereas the interaction of PRS effect and time accounted for 0.05%. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol metabolizing genetic effects on alcohol use appear to be more influential in later years of college than in earlier years. Shifting environmental contexts, such as increased access to alcohol as individuals approach the legal age to purchase alcohol, may account for this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel S. Thomas
- College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Amy Adkins
- College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Fazil Aliev
- College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
- Faculty of Business, Karabuk University, Turkey
| | - Alexis C. Edwards
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Bradley T. Webb
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - E. Clare Tiarsmith
- School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Kenneth S. Kendler
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Danielle M. Dick
- College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Karen G. Chartier
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
- School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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21
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O’Shea T, Thomas N, Webb BT, Dick DM, Kendler KS, Chartier KG. ALDH2*2 and peer drinking in East Asian college students. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2017; 43:678-685. [PMID: 28471244 PMCID: PMC5916547 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2017.1314489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ALDH2*2 allele (A-allele) at rs671 is more commonly carried by Asians and is associated with alcohol-related flushing, a strong adverse reaction to alcohol that is protective against drinking. Social factors, such as having friends who binge drink, also contribute to drinking in Asian youth. OBJECTIVES This study examined the interplay between ALDH2*2, peer drinking, and alcohol consumption in college students. We hypothesized that the relationship between ALDH2*2 and standard grams of ethanol per month would vary based on the level of peer drinking. METHODS Subjects (N = 318, 63.25% female) were East Asian college students in the United States who reported drinking alcohol. Data were from the freshman year of a university survey that included a saliva DNA sample. ALDH2*2 status was coded ALDH2*2(+) (A/G and A/A genotypes) and ALDH2*2(-) (G/G genotype). Peer drinking was students' perception of how many of their friends "got drunk". RESULTS Main effects of ALDH2*2(-) and having more friends who got drunk were associated with greater alcohol consumption. The ALDH2*2 × peer drunkenness interaction showed a stronger positive association with alcohol consumption for ALDH2*2(-) versus ALDH2*2(+) at increasing levels of peer drunkenness. Follow-up comparisons within each peer drunkenness level identified significantly higher alcohol consumption for ALDH2*2(-) compared to ALDH2*2(+) at the all friends got drunk level. CONCLUSION There was evidence of a stronger effect for ALDH2*2(-) compared to ALDH2*2(+) with greater alcohol use when students were more exposed to peer drinking. Findings contribute to a growing literature on the interrelationships between genetic influences and more permissive environments for alcohol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taryn O’Shea
- Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Social Work, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Nathaniel Thomas
- Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Social Work, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Bradley Todd Webb
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Danielle M. Dick
- Virginia Commonwealth University, College of Humanities and Sciences, Departments of Psychology and African American Studies, College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute, School of Medicine Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Kenneth S. Kendler
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, School of Medicine, Departments of Psychiatry and Human and Molecular Genetics, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Karen G. Chartier
- Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Social Work and School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Richmond, VA, USA
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22
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Webb BT, Edwards AC, Wolen AR, Salvatore JE, Aliev F, Riley BP, Sun C, Williamson VS, Kitchens JN, Pedersen K, Adkins A, Cooke ME, Savage JE, Neale Z, Cho SB, Dick DM, Kendler KS. Molecular Genetic Influences on Normative and Problematic Alcohol Use in a Population-Based Sample of College Students. Front Genet 2017; 8:30. [PMID: 28360924 PMCID: PMC5350109 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2017.00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Genetic factors impact alcohol use behaviors and these factors may become increasingly evident during emerging adulthood. Examination of the effects of individual variants as well as aggregate genetic variation can clarify mechanisms underlying risk. Methods: We conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in an ethnically diverse sample of college students for three quantitative outcomes including typical monthly alcohol consumption, alcohol problems, and maximum number of drinks in 24 h. Heritability based on common genetic variants (h2SNP) was assessed. We also evaluated whether risk variants in aggregate were associated with alcohol use outcomes in an independent sample of young adults. Results: Two genome-wide significant markers were observed: rs11201929 in GRID1 for maximum drinks in 24 h, with supportive evidence across all ancestry groups; and rs73317305 in SAMD12 (alcohol problems), tested only in the African ancestry group. The h2SNP estimate was 0.19 (SE = 0.11) for consumption, and was non-significant for other outcomes. Genome-wide polygenic scores were significantly associated with alcohol outcomes in an independent sample. Conclusions: These results robustly identify genetic risk for alcohol use outcomes at the variant level and in aggregate. We confirm prior evidence that genetic variation in GRID1 impacts alcohol use, and identify novel loci of interest for multiple alcohol outcomes in emerging adults. These findings indicate that genetic variation influencing normative and problematic alcohol use is, to some extent, convergent across ancestry groups. Studying college populations represents a promising avenue by which to obtain large, diverse samples for gene identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley T Webb
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA; Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
| | - Alexis C Edwards
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
| | - Aaron R Wolen
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Jessica E Salvatore
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA; Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
| | - Fazil Aliev
- Department of African-American Studies, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA; Faculty of Business, Karabuk UniversityKarabuk, Turkey; College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
| | - Brien P Riley
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA; Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
| | - Cuie Sun
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
| | - Vernell S Williamson
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA, USA
| | - James N Kitchens
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Kimberly Pedersen
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA; College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
| | - Amy Adkins
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA; College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
| | - Megan E Cooke
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA; College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
| | - Jeanne E Savage
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA; College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
| | - Zoe Neale
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA; College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
| | - Seung B Cho
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA; College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
| | - Danielle M Dick
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA; Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA; Department of African-American Studies, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA; College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
| | - Kenneth S Kendler
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
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