THE ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATIONAL-ACHIEVEMENT AND SCHOOL DROPOUT WITH RISK OF ALCOHOLISM - A 25-YEAR PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF INNER-CITY CHILDREN

Objective: This prospective study is focused on the characteristics le ading to alcohol use disorders in early adulthood among a cohort of bl ack children. The principal aim of this work is to examine the impact of educational attainment, school dropout and early school adaptation on the development of alcohol abuse and dependence in adulthood. Metho d: From a population that consisted of 1,242 first graders in 1966-67, a total. of 953 were interviewed at age 32-33 about their current alc ohol and drug: use, educational attainment, employment and family situ ation. Results: Diagnoses of alcohol abuse and dependence were defined according to DSM-III-R criteria resulting in identification of 13.5% as hating a lifetime alcohol use disorder. Early predictions of an alc ohol use disorder in adulthood included early reports of underachievem ent in first grade by the child's teacher, dropping out of high school , whether the family set definite rules about school during adolescenc e, and how often the adolescent worked on homework with his/her family . Conclusions: The results suggest that educational achievement and so me early adaptive behaviors in school are associated with risk for alc ohol use disorders. The public health importance of the findings are d iscussed.