Personality and Early Adolescent Alcohol Use: Assessing the Four Factor Model of Vulnerability

Aim: To examine the longitudinal associations between impulsivity, sensation seeking, hopelessness, anxiety sensitivity and alcohol use across early adolescence. Design and participants: A total of 604 students (mean age = 13.0, SD = 0.40; 65% female) from eight schools across Australia took part in this longitudinal study. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire at four time points across a 36 month period (ages 13 to 16 years) which assessed their levels of impulsivity, sensation seeking, hopelessness, anxiety sensitivity and alcohol use (any alcohol use including a sip and binge drinking ? consuming 5 or more standard drinks on one occasion). To examine the longitudinal relationship between personality and alcohol use, generalised estimating equations (GEEs) were conducted. Results: Over time, alcohol use significantly increased as did episodes of binge drinking. As hypothesised, impulsivity (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.20), sensation seeking (OR = 1.47) and hopelessness (OR = 1.22) were significantly and independently associated with increased alcohol use. Similarly, impulsivity (OR = 1.45), sensation seeking (OR = 1.78) and hopelessness (OR = 1.55) were significantly and independently associated with increased binge drinking. Anxiety sensitivity, however, was not significantly associated with alcohol use or binge drinking over time. Conclusion: This study is the first to examine the four factor model of vulnerability and early adolescent alcohol use over a 36 month period. Findings have important implications for the timing and implementation of selective prevention programs.