IQ in high school as a predictor of midlife alcohol drinking patterns.

This study investigates the relationship between adolescent intelligence quotient (IQ) and midlife alcohol consumption patterns using data from 6,300 participants of the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. Findings indicate that higher IQ scores measured in high school are associated with an increased likelihood of moderate or heavy drinking in midlife, but with fewer binge-drinking episodes. Mediation analyses reveal that household income, but not education, partially mediates the relationship between adolescent IQ and drinking patterns, suggesting socioeconomic factors influence this association. The sample was predominantly non-Hispanic White individuals born around 1939, which may limit generalizability. The study highlights the need for further research on mediators and the use of alcohol use disorder criteria to better understand the long-term impacts of cognitive ability on alcohol-related behaviors.