While our observations support the notion that the effect of ALDH2 polymorphism develops longitudinally and may be environmentally moderated, we did not determine the mechanisms by which these processes occur. This problem may be addressed in future research by including longitudinally-assessed measures of alcohol-related motives and cognitions, as well as more detailed measures of familial and social alcohol exposure, for example, household alcohol availability, and peer alcohol use and alcohol-oriented attitudes.
