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Updated: May 26, 2026

The Motivation for Alcohol Reward: Predictors of Progressive-Ratio Intravenous Alcohol Self-Administration in Humans
Published on: April 28, 2022
Alexithymia and alcohol consumption: the mediating effects of drinking motives
Gillian Bruce1, Cindy Curren, Lynn Williams
1School of Social Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, PA1 2BE, UK. gillian.bruce@uws.ac.uk
Abstract:
The association between alexithymia and alcohol consumption has been well documented. However, little research has investigated the mechanisms behind the association. In the present study, the relationship between alexithymia, drinking motives and alcohol consumption was examined in a group of social (non-problem) drinkers. In a cross-sectional study, 862 participants completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Drinking Motives Questionnaire, and provided alcohol consumption information. Regression analyses revealed that alexithymia predicts alcohol consumption. Formal mediation analyses demonstrated that this relationship was fully mediated by social, enhancement and coping drinking motives, and partially mediated by conformity. Drinking motives may represent one mechanism to explain the association between alexithymia and alcohol consumption.
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