Mental Health, Sexual Orientation, and Perceived Social Network Support in Relation to Hazardous Alcohol Consumption Among Active Duty Military Men

Knowledge surrounding perceived network support and alcohol consumption among active duty U.S. military personnel is limited, particularly among sexual minorities. We sought to determine the correlates of hazardous alcohol consumption and whether perceived network support moderated the relationship between sexual orientation and Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT-C) score. The sample comprised cisgender men currently serving in the U.S. military ( N = 292). Participants were recruited through respondent-driven sampling and completed an online survey. Logistic regression analysis evaluated associations between positive AUDIT-C with sociodemographic characteristics (including sexual orientation), military service, mental health, and perceived social network support. Interaction analysis assessed the moderating effect of perceived network support on sexual orientation and AUDIT-C. Among study participants, 52.7% (154/292) had positive AUDIT-C, while 65.4% (191/292) self-identified as heterosexual/straight and 34.6% (101/292) identified as gay or bisexual. In adjusted analysis, positive AUDIT-C was associated with increased post-traumatic stress disorder symptomatology (adjusted odds ratio [adjOR] 1.03; 95% CI [1.00, 1.06]; p = .019) and high perceived network support (adjOR 1.85; 95% CI [1.04, 3.29]; p = .036), while mental health service utilization had reduced odds of positive AUDIT-C (adjOR 0.40; 95% CI [0.20, 0.78]; p = .007). In interaction analysis, high perceived network support was associated with increased odds of positive AUDIT-C among sexual minority men (adjOR 3.09; 95% CI [1.21, 7.93]; p = .019) but not heterosexual men (adjOR 1.38; 95% CI [0.68, 2.81]; p = .37). Hazardous alcohol use was prevalent among all men in our sample. Perceived social network support may influence hazardous alcohol consumption, particularly among sexual minority servicemen. These findings suggest the potential role of tailored social network-based interventions to decrease hazardous alcohol use among military personnel.

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Changes in alcohol consumption after treatment for depression: a secondary analysis of the Swedish randomised controlled study REGASSA

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028236 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. e028236

Author(s):

Catharina Strid ◽

Mats Hallgren ◽

Yvonne Forsell ◽

Martin Kraepelien ◽

Agneta Öjehagen

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Hazardous Drinking ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Entire Group ◽

Hazardous Alcohol ◽

Randomised Controlled

ObjectivesMental health problems and hazardous alcohol consumption often co-exist. Hazardous drinking could have a negative impact on different aspects of health and also negatively influence the effect of mental health treatment. The aims of this study were to examine if alcohol consumption patterns changed after treatment for depression and if the changes differed by treatment arm and patient sex.MethodsThis study of 540 participants was conducted in a large randomised controlled trial (RCT) that aimed to compare the effect of internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy, physical exercise and treatment as usual on 945 participants with mild-to-moderate depression. Treatment lasted for 12 weeks; alcohol consumption (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT)) and depression (Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)) were assessed at baseline and 12-month follow-up. Changes in alcohol consumption were examined in relation to depression severity, treatment arm and patient sex.ResultsThe AUDIT distribution for the entire group remained unchanged after treatment for depression. Hazardous drinkers exhibit decreases in AUDIT scores, although they remained hazardous drinkers according to the cut-off scores. Hazardous drinkers experienced similar improvements in symptoms of depression compared with non-hazardous drinkers, and there was no significant relation between changes in AUDIT score and changes in depression. No differences between treatment arm and patient sex were found.ConclusionThe alcohol consumption did not change, despite treatment effects on depression. Patients with depression should be screened for hazardous drinking habits and offered evidence-based treatment for hazardous alcohol use where this is indicated.Trial registration numberDRKS00008745.

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Mental health outcomes in US and UK military personnel returning from Iraq

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.bp.113.129569 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 204 (3) ◽

pp. 200-207 ◽

Cited By ~ 81

Author(s):

Josefin Sundin ◽

Richard K. Herrell ◽

Charles W. Hoge ◽

Nicola T. Fear ◽

Amy B. Adler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Military Personnel ◽

Physical Symptoms ◽

Combat Exposure ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Military Health ◽

Hazardous Alcohol ◽

Hazardous Alcohol Consumption

BackgroundResearch of military personnel who deployed to the conflicts in Iraq or Afghanistan has suggested that there are differences in mental health outcomes between UK and US military personnel.AimsTo compare the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), hazardous alcohol consumption, aggressive behaviour and multiple physical symptoms in US and UK military personnel deployed to Iraq.MethodData were from one US (n= 1560) and one UK (n= 313) study of post-deployment military health of army personnel who had deployed to Iraq during 2007–2008. Analyses were stratified by high- and low-combat exposure.ResultsSignificant differences in combat exposure and sociodemographics were observed between US and UK personnel; controlling for these variables accounted for the difference in prevalence of PTSD, but not in the total symptom level scores. Levels of hazardous alcohol consumption (low-combat exposure: odds ratio (OR) = 0.13, 95% CI 0.07–0.21; high-combat exposure: OR = 0.23, 95% CI 0.14–0.39) and aggression (low-combat exposure: OR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.19–0.68) were significantly lower in US compared with UK personnel. There was no difference in multiple physical symptoms.ConclusionsDifferences in self-reported combat exposures explain most of the differences in reported prevalence of PTSD. Adjusting for self-reported combat exposures and sociodemographics did not explain differences in hazardous alcohol consumption or aggression.

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Does providing a brief internet intervention for hazardous alcohol use to people seeking online help for depression reduce both alcohol use and depression symptoms among participants with these co-occurring disorders? Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022412 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (7) ◽

pp. e022412 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

John A Cunningham ◽

Christian S Hendershot ◽

Frances Kay-Lambkin ◽

Clayton Neighbors ◽

Kathleen M Griffiths ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Internet Intervention ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Hazardous Alcohol Use ◽

Internet Interventions ◽

Hazardous Alcohol ◽

Hazardous Alcohol Consumption

IntroductionHazardous alcohol consumption is common among people experiencing depression, often acting to exacerbate depressive symptoms. While many people with these co-occurring disorders do not seek face-to-face treatment, they do seek help online. There are effective internet interventions that target hazardous alcohol consumption or depression separately but none that combine these online interventions without the involvement of a therapist. In order to realise the potential of internet interventions, we need to develop an evidence base supporting the efficacy of internet interventions for co-occurring depression and hazardous alcohol use without any therapist involvement. This study aims to evaluate the effects on drinking, and on depressive symptoms, of combining an internet intervention targeting hazardous alcohol consumption with one for depression.Methods and analysisA double blinded, parallel group randomised controlled trial will be used. Participants with current depression who also drink in a hazardous fashion (n=986) will be recruited for a study to ‘help improve an online intervention for depression’. Participants will be randomised either to receive an established online intervention for depression (MoodGYM) or to receive MoodGYM plus a brief internet intervention for hazardous alcohol consumption (Check Your Drinking; CYD). Participants will be contacted 3 and 6 months after receiving the interventions to assess changes in drinking and depression symptoms. It is predicted that participants receiving the CYD intervention in addition to MoodGYM will report greater postintervention reductions in alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms compared with those who received MoodGYM only. Hypothesised mediation and moderation effects will also be investigated. Using an intention-to-treat basis for the analyses, the hypotheses will be tested using a generalised linear hypothesis framework, and longitudinal analyses will use either generalised linear mixed modelling or generalised estimating equation approach where appropriate.Ethics and disseminationThis research comprises the crucial first steps in developing lower-cost and efficacious internet interventions for people suffering from depression who also drink in a hazardous fashion—promoting the widespread availability of care for those in need. This study has been approved by the standing ethics review committee of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and findings will be disseminated in the form of at least one peer-reviewed article and presentations at conferences.Trial registration numberNCT03421080; Pre-results.

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Correlates of Alcohol-Using Network Size Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in San Francisco, CA

American Journal of Men s Health ◽

10.1177/15579883211007005 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 155798832110070

Author(s):

Alex Garcia ◽

Chris Rowe ◽

Caitlin Turner ◽

Glenn-Milo Santos

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

San Francisco ◽

Network Size ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Polysubstance Use ◽

Hazardous Alcohol ◽

Hazardous Alcohol Consumption ◽

Sex With Men

Men who have sex with men (MSM) have a high prevalence of hazardous alcohol consumption. While network-level characteristics such as social network size have been indicated as upstream determinants of alcohol use in general population samples, no studies have examined factors associated with alcohol using network size (ANS), among MSM. This secondary analysis examined demographic, substance use, and sexual behavior correlates of ANS using data from a diverse sample of alcohol-using MSM in San Francisco ( N = 252). Associations were calculated using multivariable negative binomial regression, adjusting for age, race, education, and employment. The median ANS was 10. Factors associated with larger ANS in multivariable analyses included identifying as Hispanic/Latino, having completed a college education or higher, having a higher Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score, having a greater number of sexual partners, polysubstance use, and being unaware of one’s own HIV status. Factors associated with smaller ANS included being between 18 and 24 years of age, reporting a low income, and having any lifetime history of injection drug use. For MSM, ANS was associated with increased likelihood of hazardous alcohol use, as well specific individual-level substance use and sexual risk behaviors. These results highlight the role of ANS in hazardous alcohol consumption and sexually transmitted infection transmission among MSM. These results also indicate ways that research and intervention programs aimed at reducing alcohol use among MSM might be improved through network-based recruitment or engagement. Finally, these results suggest the need for further research on HIV-unknown MSM.

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Contribution of local community integration and personal social network support to mental health

Norsk Epidemiologi ◽

10.5324/nje.v12i3.377 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Tom Sørensen m.fl

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Network ◽

Local Community ◽

Community Integration ◽

Network Support ◽

Social Network Support

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Examining differential item functioning of social interaction and performance fears in people with hazardous alcohol consumption and probable alcohol dependence

10.31234/osf.io/wh4vt ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Matthew Sunderland ◽

Kamran Afzali ◽

Miriam K. Forbes ◽

Lexine Stapinski ◽

Andrew James Baillie

Keyword(s):

Social Interaction ◽

Social Anxiety ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Alcohol Dependence ◽

Differential Item Functioning ◽

Nested Models ◽

Item Functioning ◽

Hazardous Alcohol ◽

Hazardous Alcohol Consumption

A growing body of epidemiological evidence has highlighted the significant relationship between social anxiety disorder and hazardous alcohol consumption, harmful use, and alcohol use disorder. This relationship may influence the reporting of fear and avoidance of social or performance situations on common self-report measures among individuals with hazardous alcohol use or dependence. As such, the current study utilised modern psychometric methods, namely Item Response Theory (IRT) and Differential Item Functioning (DIF), in a large online sample of Australian adults (n=1052) to examine the potential under- or over-reporting of items on the Social Interaction Anxiety and Social Phobia Scales (SIAS/SPS) by groups of alcohol users (as measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test), while controlling for underlying levels of social anxiety severity. The results indicated that there were no items on the SIAS/SPS that exhibited significant (p<0.01) and meaningful DIF (based on an a priori cut-off of change in pseudo-R2 across nested models >0.05) attributable to either hazardous consumption or symptoms of alcohol dependence. Moreover, the combined effect of multiple items that demonstrated significant (but non-meaningful) DIF on total SIAS scores relative to scores that assume no DIF between alcohol using groups was minimal. These results suggest that different rates of social anxiety across levels of alcohol consumption and alcohol dependence may not be the result of a systematic under- or over-reporting of certain items on the SIAS and SPS, and as such total social anxiety scores can be compared and interpreted regardless of the level of alcohol use or dependence symptoms

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