Psychological factors affecting alcohol use after spinal cord injury.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess risk factors, including personality and socioeconomic indicators, with alcohol use among persons with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Setting: A large rehabilitation hospital in the Southeastern United States.

Methods: A total of 1549 participants responded to a survey on outcomes after SCI. We used polychotomous logistic regression to assess the relationships of personality and socioeconomic factors with alcohol use.

Results: In this study population, 19.3% were heavy drinkers, 29.4% moderate and 51.7% abstinent. Annual household income and education were both associated with heavy alcohol use, with persons with higher income or education more likely to be heavy drinkers. Impulsive sensation seeking, neuroticism-anxiety and aggression-hostility were associated with increased odds of heavy drinking.

Conclusion: This study adds to the body of evidence indicating a substantial portion of individuals with SCI are heavy drinkers, and that personality and socioeconomic status are associated with heavy drinking.