Alcohol's harms to others in Wales, United Kingdom: Nature, magnitude and associations with mental well-being.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

To explore the nature and magnitude of alcohol's harms to others (AHTOs), and associations with mental well-being.

Methods

Cross-sectional survey implemented amongst 891 randomly selected Welsh residents (aged 18+ years), via computer assisted telephone interviews. Questions established past 12-month experience of nine direct harms resulting from another person's alcohol consumption (e.g. violence) and five linked outcomes (e.g. concern for a child). The source (e.g. partner/stranger) and frequency of the AHTO were collected, and respondents' socio-demographics, drinking behaviours and mental well-being status.

Results

During the past 12?months, 43.5% of respondents had experienced at least one direct harm (45.5% at least one direct harm/linked outcome). In demographically adjusted analyses, the odds of experiencing any direct harm decreased sequentially as age group increased (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AORs]: 1.9 [age 65-74?years] - 4.2 [age 18-34?years]), and was higher amongst binge drinkers (AOR, 1.5, p?ConclusionAHTOs place a large, although unequal burden on adults in Wales. Individuals' drinking patterns are associated with experience of AHTOs. Critically, experience of some harms is associated with low mental well-being.

SUBMITTER: Quigg Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6542752 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature