When the net associations of each criterion with the outcomes were estimated in multivariate models that adjusted for age, sex and each other criterion that was endorsed (bottom panel of Table 2), the values of the outcome measures were less positively correlated with the severity ranking of the criteria. Average daily volume, frequency of drinking 5+ drinks, and early initiation of drinking were most strongly associated with endorsement of much time spent drinking, overall frequency of drinking with hazardous use, and largest quantity of drinks with tolerance. Psychological functioning was most strongly associated with use despite physical/psychological problems, and family history density and antisociality were most strongly associated with use despite interpersonal problems. That is, after controlling for other criteria endorsed, associations were often greatest between outcomes and criteria that are inherently linked, such as tolerance and largest quantity of drinks, rather than those with the largest severity threshold parameters.
