Timing of Adolescent Alcohol Initiation and Mental Health Problems in Adulthood: The Role of Parent-Adolescent Closeness

This study examined how age of alcohol initiation during adolescence is associated with mental health problems in adulthood, as well as the protective role of parent-adolescent closeness in these associations. We used data from Add Health, wherein participants ( N = 4,505, M age = 14.91; female: 53%) reported their ages of alcohol initiation ( M age = 15.68) during adolescence (ages 12–18) and depression and suicidal ideation in adulthood (ages 24–32). Adolescents who initiated alcohol in early and late adolescence showed higher depressive symptoms, depression severity, and suicidal ideation in adulthood. Parent-adolescent closeness was generally associated with lower depressive symptoms, depression severity, and suicidal ideation for those who initiated in middle and late adolescence, but not for adolescents who initiated early. Closeness with fathers robustly protected against depressive symptoms and depression severity compared to closeness with mothers. Findings suggest that initiating alcohol use in early and late adolescence may be associated with more mental health problems, but the role of closeness with fathers served as a significant protective factor. Interventions that promote screening alcohol use initiation and parent-adolescent closeness are important for mental health. This study highlights the importance of identifying adolescents at risks for mental health problems across ages of alcohol initiation in adolescence.