DRINKING PATTERNS, PSYCHOSOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND ALCOHOL CONSEQUENCES

Aims. The purpose of this study was to investigate (a) the potential m ediating role of alcohol consumption in the relationship between psych osocial variables and adverse consequences of drinking, and (b) the po ssible moderating role of psychosocial variables in the relationship b etween alcohol consumption and adverse consequences. Design. Multi-sta ge sampling procedures were used to select households for a general po pulation survey. Interviews were conducted with one member in each of 35 479 households and self-administered questionnaires were left for a ll residents aged 12 years and older (N = 49 164, response rate: 77.2% ). Setting. Data were collected as part of the Ontario (Canada) Health Survey. Participants. The present study included 33 568 current drink ers aged 18 or older. Measurements. Analyses included the following va riables: alcohol consumption, adverse consequences related to drinking , sex, age, marital status, self-rated health, perceived stress, incom e, education, employment status and family dysfunction. Findings. Alco hol consumption appeared to mediate the relationship of adverse conseq uences with age, sex, marital status, education, income and employment , but not with health, stress or family dysfunction which were indepen dently associated with adverse consequences, The relationship between alcohol consumption and adverse consequences was moderated by age, mar ital status, education and employment. Conclusions. These results help to clarify the interrelationship of alcohol consumption and psychosoc ial characteristics in experiencing adverse consequences related to dr inking.