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[grimobservertradition]

First SAS Program

Continuing research via the NESARC Codebook on the possible association between a history of alcoholism in the family and being an alcoholic as well and if a history of alcoholism is associated with major depression.

The results so far appear to be inconclusive.

[grimobservertradition]

Data Management Research Project

I chose the NESARC Codebook to work with for this assignment because I am interested in mental health and personally, I recently decided to be completely sober, so I am curious what effects alcohol abuse in the family dynamic have on the mental health of Americans.

Questions:

Is a family history of alcoholism associated with alcohol addiction?

1a. Is alcohol abuse/dependence associated with major depression?

Variables I used:

DID NOT SEEK HELP BECAUSE TRIED GETTING HELP BEFORE AND IT DIDN'T WORK

BLOOD/NATURAL FATHER EVER AN ALCOHOLIC OR PROBLEM DRINKER

BLOOD/NATURAL MOTHER EVER AN ALCOHOLIC OR PROBLEM DRINKER

ANY FULL BROTHERS EVER ALCOHOLICS OR PROBLEM DRINKERS

ANY FULL SISTERS EVER ALCOHOLICS OR PROBLEM DRINKERS

EVER HAD 2-WEEK PERIOD WHEN DIDN'T CARE ABOUT THINGS USUALLY CARED ABOUT

MOVED/TALKED MUCH MORE SLOWLY THAN USUAL MOST DAYS FOR 2+ WEEKS

BECAME SO RESTLESS THAT FELT UNCOMFORTABLE FOR 2+ WEEKS

FELT WORTHLESS MOST OF THE TIME FOR 2+ WEEKS

FELT GUILTY ABOUT THINGS WOULDN'T NORMALLY FEEL GUILTY ABOUT 2+ WEEKS

HAD TROUBLE CONCENTRATING/KEEPING MIND ON THINGS MOST DAYS FOR 2+ WEEKS

HAD ARGUMENTS/FRICTION WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS, PEOPLE AT WORK, OR ANYONE ELSE

HAD TROUBLE DOING THINGS SUPPOSED TO DO--LIKE WORKING, DOING SCHOOLWORK, OR TAKING CARE OF HOME/FAMILY

ANY EPISODE BEGAN AFTER DRINKING HEAVILY/MORE THAN USUAL

ANY EPISODE BEGAN WHEN EXPERIENCING BAD AFTEREFFECTS OF DRINKING

CONTINUED TO FEEL SAD FOR 1+ MONTHS AFTER STOPPED DRINKING/DRUG USE AFTER ONLY/ANY EPISODE IN LAST 12 MONTHS (BASED ON S4AQ15B IF ONLY 1 EPISODE)

ONLY/ALL EPISODE(S) PRIOR TO LAST 12 MONTHS BEGAN AFTER DRINKING/DRUG USE

AGE AT FIRST TIME SOUGHT HELP

Literature References I used:

Family history of alcoholism and gender: their combined effects on DSM-IV alcohol dependence and major depression.

This abstract by D. A. Dawson and B. F. Grant details the findings of a study conducted to find out whether a family history of alcohol abuse caused comorbid dependence, major depression or both more so in men or in women.

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Alcoholic Parents, and Later Risk of Alcoholism and Depression

This article by Robert F. Anda, M.D., M.S., Charles L. Whitfield, M.D., Vincent J. Felitti, M.D., Daniel Chapman, Ph.D., Valerie J. Edwards, Ph.D., Shanta R. Dube, M.P.H., and David F. Williamson, Ph.D. explores the associations between parental alcohol abuse and depression in adulthood via a survey that focused on the variables of experiencing childhood emotional, physical, and sexual abuse; witnessing domestic violence; parental separation or divorce; and growing up with drug-abusing, mentally ill, suicidal, or criminal household members.

Hypothesis:

My hypothesis is that if there is a history of alcohol abuse in the immediate family, it can directly lead to one's own alcohol abuse/dependence and depression.