Alcohol use and serious psychological distress among women of childbearing age

Objective

The purpose of this study was to present nationally representative findings on the prevalence and co-occurrence of alcohol use and serious psychological distress among women aged 18–44 years, as well as their access to health care.

Methods

A total of 24,900 women aged 18–44 years participated in the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) during the years 2003–2005. Using data from the cross-sectional survey, we estimated the prevalence and co-occurrence of alcohol use and serious psychological distress among this population; this association was examined using logistic regression. Health care access among women who used alcohol and had serious psychological distress was characterized by co-occurring status.

Results

During the study period, the estimated annual prevalence was 4.1% for heavier alcohol use, 56.0% for non-heavier use, 39.8% for nonuse, and 3.6% for serious psychological distress among women aged 18–44 years. Women who experienced serious psychological distress were at an increased likelihood for alcohol use, particularly heavier use. Alcohol use and serious psychological distress co-occurred among an estimated 1.1 million women of childbearing age in the United States annually. Most women, regardless of their co-occurring status, reported being treated by clinicians in various health care settings during the previous 12 months.

Conclusions

Alcohol use is common among women of childbearing age who experience serious psychological distress. The findings of this study provide support for enhancing efforts toward integrated assessment and intervention among women who have such co-occurring risk factors.