Links Between Romantic Relationship Dysfunction and Drinking Behaviors Are Moderated by Gender and Age.

OBJECTIVE: Romantic relationship dysfunction is a risk for subsequent alcohol use, with some research suggesting gender differences in this link. We evaluated how different aspects of relationship dysfunction are related to different drinking behaviors and whether these associations vary by gender. We further examined the role of age as a potential moderator of this gender difference. METHOD: Qualtrics Panelists (N = 1,470; 50% women) who were in a romantic relationship and regularly consumed alcohol completed an online survey. The sample was wide-ranging in age (range: 18-85 years old; M = 46.64, SD = 11.95). Participants reported drinking about 10 drinks per week, on average (SD = 11.01). RESULTS: Five factor scores were constructed from relationship predictors (relationship distress, intrusion/jealousy, and disagreements) and drinking outcomes (consumption and coping motives). Moderation analyses indicated several significant two-way interactions between relationship dysfunction, gender, and age when predicting alcohol outcomes. Of note, the positive associations between relationship distress and both consumption and coping motives were stronger among younger than older individuals and among men than women (consistent with an externalizing stress perspective). A significant three-way interaction suggested that, for women, associations between intrusion/jealousy and coping motives were strongest at younger ages, consistent with an interpersonal sensitivity perspective. Conversely, for men, these associations were stronger at older ages, consistent with an externalizing stress perspective. CONCLUSIONS: Men and younger individuals should be of particular focus when designing and testing interventions for drinking in response to relationship distress and disagreements. Younger women and older men may benefit from interventions focused on drinking to cope with relationship jealousy and electronic intrusions.

Exploring perceptions of alcohol use as self-medication for depression among women receiving community-based treatment for alcohol problems.

Although epidemiological literature reports a significant overlap between depression and alcoholism among women, the dynamics of this relationship requires further exploration. The present paper documents significant lifetime histories of depression among women in treatment for alcohol problems, and presents findings on these women's experiences of the relationship between depression and alcohol use problems. In this community-based treatment sample, 18 out of 18 women participating in qualitative interviews reported histories of depression and almost 80% were currently using anti-depressant medication. The use of alcohol as an attempt to escape difficult emotions or alternatively to produce positive emotional experiences is discussed within the gendered context of the stories women tell about their depression and alcohol use.

Exploring differential patterns of situational risk for binge eating and heavy drinking.

This study was designed to compare risk situations for binge eating vs. heavy drinking among women who struggle with both problems. Participants were 41 women in treatment for an alcohol problem who also self-reported binge eating. Participants completed the Inventory of Binge Eating Situations (IBES; [Baker, J. M. (1998). Binge eating and binge drinking among university women. Unpublished master's thesis, Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada]) and the Inventory of Drinking Situations (IDS-42; [Annis, H. M., Graham, J. M., & Davis, C. S. (1987). Inventory of Drinking Situations (IDS) user's guide. Toronto, Canada: Addiction Research Foundation]) to measure frequency of binge eating and heavy drinking, respectively, in eight categories of situations. A 2 (substance) x8 (situation) repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant substancexsituation interaction. Further exploration of this interaction indicated that heavy drinking is more likely than binge eating to occur in reward and interpersonal situations involving pleasant emotions, pleasant times with others, social pressure, and conflict with others. In contrast, binge eating and heavy drinking are equally likely to occur in relief situations involving unpleasant emotions, and physical discomfort, as well as in situations involving urges and temptations, and testing control. Implications of findings for the treatment of co-occurring binge eating and heavy drinking in women are discussed.

Why do women with alcohol problems binge eat? Exploring connections between binge eating and heavy drinking in women receiving treatment for alcohol problems.

Questionnaires assessing heavy drinking and binge eating were administered to 58 women with alcohol problems. A sub-sample of the binge-eaters then participated in qualitative interviews about their perceptions of the connections between their two problems. Seventy-one percent self-identified as binge-eaters with most reporting 'severe' binge eating. Binge-eaters were younger, more frequent drinkers and drank more often for emotional relief than non-binge-eaters. Binge eating and heavy drinking appeared to serve similar functions in a given client (i.e. emotional relief or reward functions). We discuss implications of the findings for the development of better treatments for women struggling with both health issues.

Experiences of harm reduction among women with alcohol use problems.

This paper explores women's choice of controlled drinking or abstinence goals in harm reduction treatment programs for alcohol use problems. Situated within debates about controlled or abstinence goals for alcohol use, this research project provides a specific focus on women's treatment needs. We explore evidence which reveals that women in treatment for alcohol problems often hold deeply internalized dominant social ideologies on addiction. Results demonstrate that while offered the choice of abstinence or controlled use goals, most women defined themselves as "addicts," adopted a disease metaphor of "addiction," and chose abstinence. The findings here raise questions about whether or not clients receive sufficient education about harm reduction and controlled drinking and make adequately informed choices.