A meta-analysis of depressive symptomatology and alcohol consumption over time.

Meta-analysis (eight general population longitudinal studies) describes the relationships (regressions) between quantity per occasion and depressive symptomatology over time. Quantity and depression are the strongest and most consistent predictors of final levels of themselves in all data sets. Age significantly and consistently predicts quantity for both sexes combined (the general pattern is replicated among males only). Depression significantly predicts quantity and quantity significantly predicts depression for females. Controlling for interval between measurements produces stronger prediction (more consistent over shorter intervals) for males. Depression only predicts quantity over longer intervals and quantity only predicts depression over shorter intervals for females. Explicit control for age found stronger relationships between initial and final measurement quantity, and depression for males. Quantity and depression significantly predict quantity and depression among young females. The relationship between quantity and depression among females illustrates the importance of controlling for age and sex. Methodological considerations are discussed.