In:
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, Wiley, Vol. 37, No. 4 ( 2013-04), p. 616-623
Abstract:
Stressful early life experience may have adverse consequences in adulthood and may contribute to behavioral characteristics that increase vulnerability to alcoholism. We examined early life adverse experience in relation to cognitive deficits and impulsive behaviors with a reference to risk factors for alcoholism. Methods We tested 386 healthy young adults (18 to 30 years of age; 224 women; 171 family history positive for alcoholism) using a composite measure of adverse life experience (low socioeconomic status plus personally experienced adverse events including physical and sexual abuse and separation from parents) as a predictor of performance on the S hipley I nstitute of L iving scale, the Stroop color‐word task, and a delay discounting task assessing preference for smaller immediate rewards in favor of larger delayed rewards. Body mass index ( BMI ) was examined as an early indicator of altered health behavior. Results Greater levels of adversity predicted higher Stroop interference scores ( F = 3.07, p = 0.048), faster discounting of delayed rewards ( F = 3.79, p = 0.024), lower S hipley mental age scores ( F = 4.01, p = 0.019), and higher BMI s in those with a family history of alcoholism ( F = 3.40, p = 0.035). These effects were not explained by age, sex, race, education, or depression. Conclusions The results indicate a long‐term impact of stressful life experience on cognitive function, impulsive behaviors, and early health indicators that may contribute to risk in persons with a family history of alcoholism.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0145-6008
,
1530-0277
DOI:
10.1111/acer.2013.37.issue-4
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2013
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2046886-6
detail.hit.zdb_id:
3167872-5
SSG:
15,3
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