A new study from UT Southwestern Medical Center has found a link between higher IQs in high school and moderate or heavy drinking later in life. Researchers analyzed data from over 8,200 Wisconsin high school seniors and discovered that each point increase in IQ was associated with a 1.6% rise in moderate or heavy drinking.
The study suggests that the relationship is not solely due to individual characteristics, but also social factors such as income level and career stress. Participants with higher IQs were less likely to binge drink, measured at five or more drinks in one session.
Lead author E. Sherwood Brown notes that while IQ in high school may predict drinking patterns later in life, it’s essential to consider the complex interplay between cognition and lifestyle factors. The researchers emphasize the need for further exploration into this area to better understand how these factors intersect with alcohol use.
The study’s findings align with previous research indicating a link between cognitive ability and future alcohol use. However, the authors acknowledge that the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study sample is predominantly white non-Hispanic, highlighting the importance of replicating the study with more diverse populations to ensure generalizability.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/iq-aud-neurodevelopment-27839/