The Association Between Childhood Experience of Living with a Heavy Drinker and Self-Rated Mental Health in the Adult General Population.

Background and objectives: Considering the link between childhood experiences with adult health and well-being, this study examined how living with a heavy drinker (HD) during childhood affected self-rated mental health (SRMH) in adulthood, while identifying risk and protective factors and assessing the prevalence within a regional context.

Materials and methods: Data (N = 11,113) were obtained from a cross-sectional DEEP SEAS survey (2021) of the general population, aged 18-64 years, in six countries (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, and Italy).

Results: A statistically significant difference in SRMH was found, related to the childhood experience of living with an HD (MD = -0.221, 95% CI -0.250-0.172, N = 10,886) and being negatively affected (MD = -0.216, 95% CI -0.311-0.122, N = 2978). The correlation analysis revealed that individuals who lived with an HD during childhood perceived poorer SRMH in adulthood, consistently across all observed countries. Subsequent logistic regression identified different predictors for SRMH between those who were negatively affected and those who were not. The relationship satisfaction (RAS) was the strongest predictor, significantly contributing to better SRMH, especially in the subgroup that was not negatively affected (OR 28.724, 95% CI 3.450-239.173). A high prevalence of individuals negatively affected was found, especially in Hungary (34.4%) and Croatia (26.5%).

Conclusions: Growing up with someone who was a heavy drinker may have lasting negative consequences on SRMH, with a negative subjective evaluation of mental health in adulthood. Targeted public health and preventive measures are needed to protect those living with heavy drinkers.