The role of cultural conditions: Genetic influences on alcohol misuse across adolescence and early adulthood in Germany and the US

During lifetime, alcohol misuse can cause serious problems including physical, social, and economic complications. In the last decade, potential biological and social markers of risk have been identified indicating that both... [ view full abstract ]

During lifetime, alcohol misuse can cause serious problems including physical, social, and economic complications. In the last decade, potential biological and social markers of risk have been identified indicating that both genetic and environmental influences play a role. However, the importance of genetic influences on alcohol misuse can also vary as a function of environmental conditions. So far, knowledge is restricted with respect to the question when and how the society with its restrictions on alcohol consumption probably interacts with the persons’ individual genetic makeup. In the current study, we investigated genetic and environmental factors on the etiology of problematic alcohol consumption including drinking initiation, regular and problematic drinking in countries with differing rules regarding alcohol consumption, i.e. the US and Germany. We compared mean levels and variances as well as genetic and environmental influences on problematic alcohol consumption for samples of twins and their parents drawn from the German twin family study TwinLife (N= 3.078 twin families) and the Minnesota Twin Family Study (N= 4.153 twin families). Each study clustered twins into three age cohorts (11, 17 and 23/24 years) to investigate developmental trajectories. The results showed substantial mean differences between the countries for regular and problematic drinking especially at age of 23/24 as well as consistent sex-effects in both countries across ages. Regarding the importance of genetic influences on drinking behavior, analyses showed differing results depending on the respective age group. Findings and implications will be discussed with respect to the role of cultural conditions.