Concerning years to initiation of drinking (Table 3, Stage I), 10 independent predictor variables were identified after addressing violations of the PHA (see Method) and controlling for demographics. Considering risk factors, parental divorce/separation strongly accelerated drinking onset at all ages, but especially in younger offspring (age 1–14; z = 6.30). Offspring with a history of PTSD, ADHD, MDD, Trauma, or CD exhibited more rapid onset of drinking in childhood and early adolescence (z = 4.07, z = 4.08, z = 3.97, z = 2.94, and z = 2.70, respectively), but this acceleration was not evident after midadolescence. Concerning R/S variables, the strongest R/S effect was on initiation, and the strongest predictor across all variables and all stages, was religious attendance (z = −12.45). Concerning the initiation of drinking (age of first drink), R/S attendance was associated with delayed progression, a protective effect. Also delaying onset were Differentiating affiliation and motivation/devotion (z = −4.91 and −2.48, respectively). In contrast, Catholic affiliation accelerated onset of drinking (z = 4.04) in those who were age 12 and older.
