The transition to parenthood, opportunity to drink, drinking, and alcohol use disorder

Abstract

Background: This study used life histories from a setting of near universal marriage and childbearing (Nepal) to identify associations between both marital transitions and the transition into parenthood and alcohol use and disorder (AUD).

Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional survey using life history calendars documented lifetime marital and childbearing histories of 4876 men and 5742 women aged 15-59 in 2016-18. The clinically validated, Nepal-specific Composite International Diagnostic Interview assessed first alcohol use opportunity, use, and disorder.

Results: Being never married increased the odds of having the opportunity to drink for men (OR=1.30, 95% CI=1.14 - 1.48, p < 0.001) and women (OR=1.24, 95% CI=1.08 - 1.43, p = 0.003) compared to being married. While men were never married, widowed, or divorced they were at a greater risk of developing AUD. The transition to parenthood significantly increased the odds of AUD onset for men (OR=1.71, 95% CI=1.12 - 2.61, p = 0.013), independent of marital transitions. For women in this setting, becoming divorced increased the odds of having their first drink (OR=1.77, 95% CI=1.14 - 2.75, p = 0.011). Giving birth to a first child also increased the odds of first opportunity to drink for women (OR=1.30, 95% CI=1.07 - 1.57, p = 0.008).

Conclusions: We found associations between marital transitions and AUD that are consistent with findings worldwide. In this setting of near universal childbearing, the transition into fatherhood increased the odds of postpartum AUD among men.

Keywords: Alcohol use disorders; Alcohol use transitions; Marital experience; Parenthood.