ALCOHOL INTAKE IN ADULTS AS A RISK FACTOR FOR PSYCHIATRIC-DISORDERS IN CHILDREN

This study is based on data obtained from the National Survey on Menta l Health, carried out in 1988 on a subsample of the urban population i ncluded in the National Survey of Addictions. The objectives of the pr esent report were to present the strength of the association and the d ifferential prevalence between cases of children elicited through the Report Questionnaire for Children (RQC), and the adult alcohol consump tion in the surveyed dwellings. Alcohol consumption was defined in ter ms of dependence, patterns of intake, and drunkness frequency. Crude a nd stratified odds ratios were calculated as well as a logistic regres sion analysis, including depressive symptomatology in adults, obtained through the CES-D, hopelessness and suicidal ideas. A two fold increa se with a positive rating in the RQC was obtained comparing the heavy drinkers with frequent high drinkers; also a four fold increase was as sociated with more frequent drunkness. Logistic regression analysis sh owed that drunkness frequency was the only alcohol variable associated (1.6 more times) with the presence of two or more symptoms in childre n. Older children and the presence of hopelessness and suicidal ideas in adults were also associated.As this was a cross-sectional study, di rection of the association cannot be established. Nevertheless, result s suggest that in the short-term, drunkness frequency in adults is a r isk factor for the mental health of children. Discussion and compariso n with other studies, both national and international, are made.