Relations between Affect, Self-Efficacy, and Alcohol Expectancies in Adults Experiencing Homelessness

Alcohol misuse is higher among adults experiencing homelessness (AEH) compared to housed adults. Greater expectancy that alcohol will improve mood, negative affect, and lower self-efficacy have been linked to alcohol misuse in AEH. However, little is known about the momentary relationships between affect, alcohol expectancies, and self-efficacy to avoid alcohol in AEH. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine these constructs in a sample of AEH. Methods: AEH (n = 72; M = 47, 85% Male, 68% Non-White) completed smartphone-based ecological momentary assessments 5x/day for four weeks. Generalized multilevel modeling examined the association between concurrent momentary ratings of (1) expectancy that alcohol would improve mood and negative and positive affect and (2) self-efficacy to do something other than drink to improve mood and negative and positive affect.

Momentary reports of increased negative affect were associated with greater expectancy that alcohol would improve mood (b = 0.25, p < 0.01), whereas momentary reports of increased positive affect were associated with less expectancy that alcohol would improve mood (b = -0.11, p < 0.01). Increased momentary negative affect was associated with less self-efficacy to improve mood without alcohol (b = -0.09, p = 0.03), but momentary reports of increased positive affect were associated with greater self-efficacy to do something other than drink to improve mood (b = 0.18, p < 0.01).

It may be important to deliver real-time treatment messages suggesting alternatives to drinking and/or ways to boost self-efficacy during moments when negative affect is high.