The context-specific positive alcohol outcome expectancies of university women

Alcohol outcome expectancies are subjective beliefs about the psychological and physical effects of alcohol consumption. The primary purpose of the present study was to determine whether the types and strengths of university women's positive alcohol outcome expectancies differ across three typical student drinking contexts. Seventy-eight female undergraduates completed three versions of the Expectancy Context Questionnaire (ECQ) depicting Social, Sexual, and Tension drinking contexts, respectively, and then prospectively self-monitored their own drinking behavior. Respondent's total positive expectancies were strongest, overall, in the Sexual context and weakest in the Tension context. Consistent with hypothesis, the strengths of certain specific alcohol expectancies varied significantly across contexts: Arousal expectancies were strongest in the Sexual context and weakest in the Social context; Social/Sexual Enhancement expectancies were strongest in the Sexual context and weakest in the Tension context; and Global Positive Affect expectancies were strongest in the Social context and weakest in the Tension context. Drinking levels over the week of self-monitoring were significantly predicted by Global Positive Affect and Relaxation expectancies in the Social Context, and by Social/ Sexual Enhancement, Arousal, and Relaxation expectancies in the Sexual Context. The theoretical and clinical importance of identifying drinking context when examining alcohol expectancies is discussed.