Population based latent class analysis of drinking behaviour: related psychological problems and cognitive impairment

F i n d i n g s
Latent class analyses were carried out based on the Alcohol Use Disorder Test (AUDIT). Analyses were performed on data from participants in the second “Psychiatric Morbidity Among Adults living in Private Households, 2000” survey (N=7849).

Six classes were found to adequately explain the AUDIT scores. These were labelled as -

• Class 1 Heavy consumption with multiple negative consequences (n=406) 5.7%
• Class 2 Heavy consumption with negative consequences (n=461) 6.4%
• Class 3 Moderate/heavy consumption (n=2369) 25.7%
• Class 4 Moderate consumption (n= 2921) 38.5%
• Class 5 Very mild consumption with negative consequences (n=574) 7.4%
• Class 6 Baseline/Mild consumption (n=1118) 16.3%

Poor mental health status was associated with membership of Class 1.

I m p l i c a t i o n s
• The findings from this study indicated that drinking behaviour cannot be simply
described along a continuum based on either frequency of drinking or
consumption of alcohol.

• Based on this analysis drinking patterns can be considered to be quantitatively
different but also qualitatively different. For instance, high levels of consumption
are not necessary for memory loss or injury to occur.

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