Examining Premeditation and Urgency as Moderators of the Longitudinal Association Between Alcohol-Induced Blackouts and AUDIT Scores Among Adolescents and Young Adults.

Abstract

Background: Adolescence and young adulthood are developmental periods where both initiation and escalation of alcohol consumption is common. While existing literature highlights the potential role alcohol-induced blackouts (AIBs) may have on the development of alcohol use disorders as well as how impulsivity is associated with alcohol use, research to date has not been conducted within the United States. Therefore, this study aimed to examine longitudinal associations between AIBs and hazardous alcohol use risk (AUDIT) in adolescents and young adults, while exploring the moderating effects of impulsivity facets (i.e., premeditation and urgency).

Methods: Participants were recruited for a longitudinal ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study in Texas, examining cognitions and alcohol use. The analytical sample comprised 556 participants (58.6% female, 70.8% White, M_age = 21.5, SD = 2.5). Data were collected at baseline and a 12-month follow-up.

Results: Utilizing generalized linear regression models, results revealed a significant prospective association between AIBs and AUDIT scores. Findings indicated premeditation significantly moderated this association, whereas urgency did not.

Conclusion: Targeting prevention programs, particularly toward adolescents and young adults with a history of AIBs, especially those with elevated levels of premeditation, may be effective in mitigating the risk of alcohol use disorder development.