Young adults 19-22 years are at the highest risk for heavy drinking with males consistently being more likely to engage in binge drinking. There are no current investigations looking at substance use behavior and family emotional security among young adults. The current study looks at associations between security in the family system and problematic drinking behaviors among young adult males in a romantic relationship.
The study included 49 males in the Midwest with one same-sex couple and a mean age of 22 years. Couples on average were together for a year and half and 78% did not live together. Security in the family system was assessed by asking participants questions like “I feel I can count on my family to give me help” and When I’m upset, there’s no one in my family who can make me feel better.” Problem drinking was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test to ask questions such as “How often during the last year have you found you were able to stop drinking once you had started?” Childhood exposure to substance use was also assessed for the study along with demographics and covariates.
Results showed males’ disengagement from family was positively associated with level of problem drinking. Results also showed the link between disengaging from the family and drinking behaviors was strong among those who lived with a substance abuser in childhood. Overall, disengagement from the family predicted higher levels of problematic drinking and that males drank more if their partner engaged in problematic drinking. These findings show interventions may benefit from considering family and romantic relationships among male young adults to between predict and help those with problematic drinking.
Take Away: The current study looks at associations between security in the family system and problematic drinking behaviors among young adult males in a romantic relationship. The study included 49 males in the Midwest with one same-sex couple and a mean age of 22 years. Measures included security in the family system, problematic drinking, childhood exposure to substance use, and demographics. Overall, disengagement from the family predicted higher levels of problematic drinking and that males drank more if their partner engaged in problematic drinking. These findings show interventions may benefit from considering family and romantic relationships among male young adults to between predict and help those with problematic drinking.