Problem behavior theory and consumption and consequences of alcohol use

Self-report measures of heavy consumption and adverse consequences of alcohol use have been used as interchangeable or equivalent indicators of problem drinking although the literature shows them to be relatively independent, with generally about 15% variance in common. The purposes of the present study are to provide further evidence of the independence of self-reported consumption and problems, and to explore nonalcohol-related correlates. Data from 370 employed adults showed modest intercorrelations and a factor structure representing alcohol consumption levels (quantity-frequency, frequency of intoxication) and alcohol-related problems (self-other definition as a problem drinker, adverse consequences). Partial correlational analyses showed that, when controlling for the effects of consumption, alcohol-related problems were related to the use of other psychoactive drugs and to a set of attributes of the person and the social environment as distinct dimensions. Modification of Jessor's problem behavior theory is proposed to generate psychosocial explanation for the differential vulnerability to alcohol-related problems.