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Reinforcement expectancies for studying predict drinking problems among college students: approaching problem
Boaz Levy1, Mitchell Earleywine
1Psychology Department, University of Southern California, SGM 501, Los Angeles, CA90089-1061, USA. boazlevy@ref.usc.edu
College students with high alcohol expectancies who also have high studying expectancies drink less and experience fewer alcohol-related problems. Enhancing studying expectancies may reduce problem drinking in this population.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Molar behavioral choice theories suggest reinforcement for alternative behaviors can reduce problem drinking.
- A cognitive mediational analysis indicates that alcohol expectancies' link to drinking behavior is influenced by expectancies for alternative behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between alcohol expectancies, studying expectancies, and problem drinking in college students.
- To examine if expectancies for alternative behaviors mediate the link between alcohol expectancies and drinking behavior.
Main Methods:
- 82 college students completed the Alcohol Effects Questionnaire (AEFQ), Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index (RAPI), and a custom studying expectancies questionnaire.
- Self-report measures assessed drinking quantity, frequency, and alcohol-related problems.
Main Results:
- Among students with high alcohol expectancies, those reporting high studying expectancies drank less.
- High studying expectancies were associated with significantly fewer drinking problems in students with high alcohol expectancies.
Conclusions:
- Studying expectancies may play a crucial role in moderating the relationship between alcohol expectancies and problem drinking.
- Interventions aimed at enhancing studying expectancies could be a strategy for reducing problem drinking among college students.
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