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Self-control, coping styles, and alcohol outcomes in college students
Heather R Lucke1,2, Caitlyn N Carey2, Elizabeth L Griffith2
1Department of Psychology, Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois, USA.
Journal of American College Health : J of ACH
|January 26, 2023
Summary
College students with lower self-control who use avoidance coping strategies report more alcohol problems. Promoting alternative coping mechanisms can help reduce alcohol-related issues in students.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Health Behavior
Background:
- Coping styles influence health outcomes, with emotion- and problem-focused strategies addressing stressors, while avoidance strategies aim to escape distress.
- Avoidance-focused coping is linked to increased alcohol problems, highlighting a potential area for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between self-control, coping styles, and alcohol use and problems in college students.
- To determine if self-control predicts alcohol problems specifically through avoidance-focused coping.
Main Methods:
- 183 undergraduate students completed self-report questionnaires.
- Measures included levels of self-control, coping style preferences, and alcohol consumption and problems.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between lower self-control and greater alcohol problems, mediated by avoidance-focused coping.
- This association remained consistent even after controlling for overall alcohol consumption.
Conclusions:
- University interventions targeting substance use should consider promoting emotion- and problem-focused coping strategies.
- These alternative strategies may serve as effective replacements for avoidance-focused coping among undergraduates experiencing distress.
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