Psychological factors affecting alcohol use after spinal cord injury

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the association of risk factors measured at a baseline data collection, including personality and socioeconomic indicators, with alcohol use at 1) baseline, and 2) 10-year follow-up. Methods: 726 participants from a large rehabilitation hospital in the Southeast responded to a survey at baseline and follow-up, and provided information on alcohol use, personality, and socioeconomic status. We used two polychotomous logistic regression models to assess the relationships of personality and socioeconomic factors with alcohol use at baseline and follow-up, controlling for demographic and injury characteristics. Results: At baseline, 25.5% were heavy drinkers and 43.0% abstinent, while at follow-up 20.0% were heavy drinkers and 49.4% abstinent. Annual household income and education were both associated with alcohol use at baseline and at follow-up, with persons with higher income or education more likely to be heavy drinkers. At baseline, three personality factors, impulsive sensation seeking, aggression/hostility, and sociability, were associated with increased odds of heavy drinking. At follow-up, impulsive sensation seeking was also associated with heavy drinking in addition to neuroticism-anxiety. Conclusions: This study adds to the body of evidence indicating a substantial portion of individuals with SCI are heavy drinkers, and that personality and socioeconomic status are important predictors of heavy drinking.