Memory association and personality as predictors of alcohol use: mediation and moderator effects

We investigated the nature of the effects of memory associations on alcohol use and abuse. First, we determined if effects of memory associations on drinking problems are mediated entirely through the frequency of alcohol consumption or, alternatively, if such effects are more direct. Second, personality traits were assessed to evaluate whether they were confounded with memory association in their effects or whether they might moderate the effects of memory associations on alcohol use and abuse. The results showed that memory association measures directly and independently predicted alcohol consumption; these measures indirectly predicted problems from drinking, including drunk driving. None of the assessed personality variables moderated the predictive effects of memory association. The results are consistent with the view that memory associations influence behavior through cognitive processes that are not affected by personality traits or by cognitions emanating from such traits.