A recent study conducted by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center has found a correlation between a person’s IQ during high school and their alcohol consumption later in life. The study, published in Alcohol and Alcoholism, revealed that individuals with higher IQ levels were more likely to be moderate or heavy drinkers compared to abstainers.
Senior author E. Sherwood Brown, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., Distinguished Teaching Professor of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern, emphasized that while IQ in high school is not deterministic of one’s future, it can influence social factors that lead to drinking habits. The study indicated that higher IQ levels were predictive of moderate or heavy drinking but not binge drinking.
This research marks the first of its kind to explore predictors of drinking patterns, shedding light on the relationship between cognitive ability and alcohol consumption. As alcohol consumption among adults continues to rise, understanding the factors that influence drinking habits is crucial for public health.
To conduct the study, researchers analyzed data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, which included information on IQ and lifestyle habits of over 10,000 Wisconsin high school seniors from 1957. The findings revealed that for every one-point increase in IQ, there was a 1.6% increase in the likelihood of reporting moderate or heavy alcohol use.
The study also highlighted the influence of income level on the relationship between IQ and drinking habits. Higher IQ levels may lead to stressful jobs or more opportunities for social drinking among high earners, contributing to the link between cognitive ability and alcohol consumption.
Moreover, the research team noted that men reported more binge-drinking episodes than women, consistent with previous studies showing gender differences in hazardous drinking patterns. However, the study’s sample consisted mostly of white non-Hispanic participants, underscoring the need for more diverse research samples to ensure generalizability.
Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between cognitive ability and alcohol consumption. By understanding the factors that influence drinking habits, healthcare professionals can develop targeted interventions to promote healthier behaviors and reduce the risk of alcohol-related health issues.
