Influence of Depressive Symptomology on Alcohol Abuse Liability in Women

Session Number

BVHSO 16

Advisor(s)

Dr. Emma Childs, University of Illinois at Chicago,The HAPPY Lab

Discipline

Behavioral and Social Sciences

Start Date

17-4-2024 11:05 AM

End Date

17-4-2024 11:20 AM

Abstract

High comorbidity exists between AUD and mood disorders, especially in women, with unclear causes. Depressive symptoms may affect alcohol abuse liability and mood effects. Women, twice as likely to have depressive disorders, face higher AUD risk post-major depressive disorder diagnosis.

Understanding alcohol abuse and depression link in women is vital. We assessed alcohol abuse liability in moderately to heavily drinking women with and without past-year depression symptoms (N=24). During alcohol challenge sessions (0, 80mg%), healthy women self-reported mood and subjective alcohol effects. Using repeated measures analysis (rmANOVA) compared responses between those with (N=12) and without (N=12) past-year symptoms, with symptom count as a covariate. No demographic differences were found. Women with past-year symptoms reported greater negative alcohol effects (sedation, confusion, dysphoria, Ps < 0.05). No differences in positive alcohol effects were seen in women with mild symptoms. Findings challenge expected alcohol-rewarding effects in women, indicating the need for further research on women's drug and alcohol interactions.

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Apr 17th, 11:05 AM Apr 17th, 11:20 AM

Influence of Depressive Symptomology on Alcohol Abuse Liability in Women

High comorbidity exists between AUD and mood disorders, especially in women, with unclear causes. Depressive symptoms may affect alcohol abuse liability and mood effects. Women, twice as likely to have depressive disorders, face higher AUD risk post-major depressive disorder diagnosis.

Understanding alcohol abuse and depression link in women is vital. We assessed alcohol abuse liability in moderately to heavily drinking women with and without past-year depression symptoms (N=24). During alcohol challenge sessions (0, 80mg%), healthy women self-reported mood and subjective alcohol effects. Using repeated measures analysis (rmANOVA) compared responses between those with (N=12) and without (N=12) past-year symptoms, with symptom count as a covariate. No demographic differences were found. Women with past-year symptoms reported greater negative alcohol effects (sedation, confusion, dysphoria, Ps < 0.05). No differences in positive alcohol effects were seen in women with mild symptoms. Findings challenge expected alcohol-rewarding effects in women, indicating the need for further research on women's drug and alcohol interactions.