Micro-Longitudinal Examination of the Association between Depression and Alcohol Misuse among Black Adults: Proximal Risk and Protective Factors

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Project Summary/Abstract Alcohol use is among the most prominent public health problems and contributors to health disparities for Black adults [48], which is reflected in the high rates of alcohol-related mortality and morbidity among Black populations [49]. Indeed, although Black adults tend to have equivalent or even lower rates of alcohol use compared to their white counterparts [3], Black adults experience higher rates of alcohol use disorders [4] as well as more alcohol-related social consequences [5] and legal issues [6-7]. These findings highlight the need for future research examining alcohol use and problems among Black adults. Depression symptoms are critical to study in this regard as they have consistently been found to be associated with alcohol use and problems in cross-sectional studies of Black adults [15, 53, 94]. Addressing important limitations in the extant research, the goal of the proposed study is to explicate the momentary associations between depression symptoms and alcohol use and problems as well as to consider the influence of culturally relevant factors in acute risk for alcohol use and problems among Black adults with varying severities of depression symptoms. Specifically, although not yet empirically tested among Black adults, the momentary relations between depression symptoms and alcohol use and problems among Black adults may be reciprocal, whereby depression symptoms serve as both an antecedent and a consequence of alcohol use and problems [10-12]. Moreover, racial stressors and symptoms are culturally relevant factors that may substantially increase proximal risk for alcohol use and problems among Black adults, and their influence may be stronger in those with greater severity of depression symptoms (i.e., moderation). To address these questions, the proposed study will recruit 60 Black adults in the community who report regular alcohol use in the past month. Participants will complete a baseline interview, following which they will take part in 14 days of ecological momentary assessment (three surveys per day). Micro-longitudinal methods are a rigorous and ecologically valid approach for capturing fluctuations in symptoms/experiences that increase risk for alcohol use and problems. This project will provide the Applicant with invaluable training to (1) bolster understanding of alcohol use disorders; (2) advance knowledge and conduct of research on the co-occurrence of depression symptoms and alcohol use among Black individuals; (3) acquire proficiency in utilizing micro-longitudinal methodology and data analytic techniques; (4) advance training in minority health and health disparities; and (5) build skills for grantsmanship and research dissemination. The ultimate goal of the project is to aid in further investigation of culturally relevant factors among historically underrepresented individuals in research, with the prospect of informing alcohol interventions for Black adults with depression.