Alcohol Use, Marriage, and Parenthood in Young Adulthood







Jenny M. Larkins & Kenneth J. Sher

University of Missouri-Columbia and the
Missouri Alcoholism Research Center

Supported by NIAAA Grants R37 AA07231 to Kenneth J. Sher and P50 AA11998 to Andrew C. Heath


Introduction:“Maturing Out”

• Rates of heavy drinking peak in late adolescence and sharply decrease during the third decade of life.

• This trend likely reflects a maturational process in which individuals move into adult roles that are incompatible with drinking.

• Transitions that occur during early adulthood also represent a period of increased health risks, including the development of drinking problems.

• Individuals who do not exhibit the normative decrease in alcohol consumption are more likely experience chronic problems with alcohol.

Goal of the Study

• To use data from a longitudinal study to explore alcohol-related variables that are associated with the likelihood of getting married and/or becoming a parent

Full Presentation (PDF)