However, it is important to note that the current focus of this article does not speak to causality of personality constructs on alcohol involvement but rather addresses the potential reciprocal relationship between changes in personality change and problematic alcohol involvement. This approach and the subsequent findings in the current article are consistent with transactional models (Roberts et al., 2005) that highlight the codevelopment of constructs across the life span. Transactional perspectives best depict the findings in recent research on the relation between changes in alcohol involvement and changes in marital quality (Kearns-Bodkin & Leonard, 2005) and changes in personality and changes in relationship satisfaction (Scollon & Diener, 2006). Similarly, the results of the current study highlight the reciprocal relation of changes in problematic alcohol involvement and changes in personality (i.e., impulsivity and neuroticism) but do not discern the temporal precedence of this association. The developmental processes involved in the corresponding changes of personality and problematic alcohol involvement most likely involve both genetic and environmental factors. In light of the current research findings, this complex relationship is best viewed from a transactional perspective rather than a simple “A causes B” framework.
