A possible, though highly speculative, third-variable explanation for the finding of correlated change is that neurodevelopment of the prefrontal cortex contributes to both changes in problematic alcohol involvement and personality in young adulthood. The prefrontal cortex undergoes considerable development during adolescence and emerging adulthood (Casey, Galvan, & Hare, 2005; Romine & Reynolds, 2005), and these changes coincide with the further development of processes, such as cognitive control, self-regulation, and affect regulation, that are thought to be important in coping with negative emotions and regulating one’s behavior in general (Leibenluft, Charney, & Pine, 2003). The development of these processes could also account, at least partially, for declines in problematic alcohol involvement and the development of more mature personality configurations. Thus, though speculative, the corresponding changes between personality and alcohol involvement during late adolescence and emerging adulthood may be at least partially due to co-occurring neurodevelopment during this developmental period.
