Abstract

Research has indicated that alcohol abuse is associated with deleterious effects on cognitive functioning later in life, specifically in the neuropsychological domains of immediate memory, delayed memory, and attention. However, research has been mixed regarding how age of initiation into problem drinking affects cognitive health after abstinence. This study aimed to identify if earlier age of alcohol abuse was associated with significant deficits in neuropsychological functioning in comparison to individuals who commenced alcohol abuse later in life. Participants were recruited from an alcohol rehabilitation program within Loma Linda University’s Behavioral Medicine Center and were administered the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) after eight days of substance sobriety. Results indicated that individuals who drank more and began drinking in childhood demonstrated significantly better performance in immediate memory in comparison to individuals who drank less and who initiated into drinking later in life. However, these findings are reflective of pervasive limitations within this study, including low power, low sample size, and operational complexities within the studies primary independent variables.

LLU Discipline

Clinical Psychology

Department

Psychology

School

School of Behavioral Health

First Advisor

Lee, Grace J.

Second Advisor

Morton, Kelly R.

Third Advisor

Whyte, Ricardo

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2017

Date (Title Page)

12-2017

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Alcohol Use; Alcoholism; Memory -- Physiology; Neuropsychological Tests

Subject - Local

Age of Initiation; Alcohol Abuse; Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status; RBANS

Type

Thesis

Page Count

68

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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