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"I cannot stand the boredom." Binge drinking expectancies in adolescence
Roberta Biolcati1, Stefano Passini1, Giacomo Mancini1
1Department of Education Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Filippo Re 6, Bologna 40126, Italy.
Introduction:
The main aim of this study is to improve our knowledge on binge drinking behavior in adolescents. In particular, we tested a model of predictors of binge drinking focusing on boredom proneness; we also examined the predictive and mediating role of drinking expectancies on binge drinking.
Methods:
A questionnaire designed to assess current drinking behavior, such as binge drinking, drinking expectancies and boredom proneness, was administered to 721 Italian adolescents (61% females) aged between 13 and 19 years (M = 15.98, SD = 1.61).
Results:
Structural equation modeling confirmed the evidence on drinking expectancies as predicted by boredom proneness and as predictive of adolescents' binge drinking. Interestingly, disinhibition and relief from pain seem to play a more important mediating role between boredom and alcohol outcome. Conversely, no mediation was found for interpersonal and social confidence expectancies on binge drinking.
Conclusions:
In general, the results suggest that preventative interventions on alcohol misuse should focus on personality traits and underlying drinking expectancies.