The Relationship of Veteran and Mental Health Status on Self-Reported Binge Drinking Days

Introduction: Most studies have explored risk factors on alcohol use in isolation of each other, yet practice in alcohol abuse treatment has shown that these risk factors do not affect patients in isolation. In order to develop comprehensive treatment strategies for alcohol abuse disorders and their associated comorbidities, the combined association of various risk factors for alcohol abuse disorders, should be comprehensively explored. This study will explore whether or not a relationship exists between veteran and mental health status on self-reported binge-drinking days, accounting for gender, among those 18-34 years. 

Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2013.  The 2013 sample population includes over 300,000 adults 18 and older living in the United States and three U.S. territories. SPSS Version 22 was used to conduct univariate analysis, bivariate analysis and Multivariate Linear Regression stratifying for ages 18 to 34 years. 

Results:   Over the general population ages 18 to 34, females reported an overall higher number of mental health days not good in the past month than males. Overall, males report a higher number of binge drinking episodes in the past month than females.  Non-Veterans with poor mental health had the highest percent (45.6%) of self reported binge drinking among males.  Veterans (29.6%) and non-veterans (29.1%) with poor mental health had the highest percent of self-reported binge drinking among females.  Multivariate linear regression found statistical significance for gender, veteran status combined with mental health status and education status (p<.05), on number of binge drinking days.

Conclusion:  Gender was identified as the greatest predictor of binge drinking, followed by veteran status combined with mental health status.  Current alcohol abuse disorder counseling and treatment options should account for multi-factor causes, treatment approaches should be multi-dimensional. A limitation of the study is the BRFSS is a self reported mesaure.   Mental health stigma and potential occupation related consequences might serve as a barrier for accurate self-reporting.  The veteran variable and mental health variables were broad in description with no specific inclusion criteria. Further research needs to be conducted on the relationship of these variables on binge drinking in order to provide the most appropriate and comprehensive intervention approach on alcohol abuse disorders.