A longitudinal model of social contact, social support, depression, and alcohol use

The longitudinal relations among contact with one's social network (social contact), perceived social support, depression, and alcohol use were examin ed. An integrative model was developed from affect regulation theory and th eories of social support and dysfunctional drinking. Data were obtained fro m. a random sample of 1,192 adults. The 3-wave panel model was tested using structural equation modeling analysis. Results revealed that (a) social co ntact was positively related to perceived social support; (b) perceived soc ial support was, in turn, negatively related to depression; and (c) depress ion was, in him, positively related to alcohol use for 1 of 2 longitudinal lags. There was partial support for the feedback hypothesis that increased alcohol use leads to decreased contact with family and friends. Although th e results generally supported the authors' hypotheses, the significant coef ficients in the model were generally small in size.