Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Volume 107, Issue 2 , Pages 154-160, 1 March 2010

Longitudinal associations between depression and substance dependence from adolescence through early adulthood

  • Naomi R. Marmorstein

      Affiliations

    • Rutgers University, Camden, Department of Psychology, 311 North 5th Street, Camden, NJ 08102, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author at: Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, Camden, 311 North 5th Street, Camden, NJ 08102, USA. Tel.: +1 856 225 6434; fax: +1 856 225 6602.
    • ,
  • William G. Iacono

      Affiliations

    • University of Minnesota, Department of Psychology, 75 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
    • ,
  • Stephen M. Malone

      Affiliations

    • University of Minnesota, Department of Psychology, 75 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA

Received 10 January 2008; received in revised form 20 May 2009; accepted 7 October 2009.

Abstract 

Aims

The association between depression and substance dependence is poorly understood; examinations of these two disorders over time during key developmental periods can provide insight into how these problems relate to each other. The goal of the present study was to examine longitudinal associations between depression and substance (alcohol and illicit drug) dependence during the period from adolescence through early adulthood.

Participants

Participants in the Minnesota Twin Family Study, a community-based sample of 1252 youth and their families, were used. Youth were first assessed at age 17; they returned to the study at ages 20 and 24.

Measurements

Major depression and drug and alcohol dependence were assessed via structured interviews. Gender was examined as a possible moderator.

Findings

The results indicated that both substance dependence and depression showed stability over time—that is, each disorder was associated with increased risk for the same disorder later. Substance dependence between ages 17 and 20 predicted increased risk of depression between ages 20 and 24. These associations did not differ significantly by gender.

Conclusions

Substance dependence during late adolescence predicts the subsequent occurrence of major depression.

Keywords: Depression, Alcohol dependence, Longitudinal, Comorbidity, Drug dependence

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PII: S0376-8716(09)00387-1

doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2009.10.002

Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Volume 107, Issue 2 , Pages 154-160, 1 March 2010

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