Publication year: 2011
Source: Addictive Behaviors, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 26 July 2011
Megan E., Patrick , Jennifer L., Maggs
Alcohol expectancy, motivation, and consequences measures assume a known valence of ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ outcomes. However, different individuals may rate the same consequences of alcohol use as good or bad. The current study examines the extent to which: (a) college students rate researcher-defined positive consequences as good and researcher-defined negative consequences as bad, and (b) these evaluations predict alcohol use and problems after controlling for previous use. In longitudinal self-reports via web-surveys across the first three semesters of college, students (N=600; 54% women) reported their alcohol use and problems, experienced consequences, and evaluations of those consequences. Contrary to the generally-accepted…
Highlights: ► There is variation in the evaluations of alcohol-related consequences as positive or negative among college students. ► Contrary to the generally-accepted valence of positive consequences, Fun/Social alcohol consequences were viewed as neutral or negative by 22% (having more fun) to 73% (relieving boredom) of college student participants. Over half of participants evaluated each of the Relaxation, Sex, and Image consequences items as neutral or negative. ► Consistent with the generally-accepted valence of negative consequences, Physical/Behavioral consequences were viewed by the majority as negative, although 11% (getting in trouble with police/authorities) to 34% (doing/saying something embarrassing) of students rated these consequences as neutral or positive. ► Independent of levels of previous drinking, more positive evaluations of Fun/Social consequences prospectively predicted greater frequency, quantity, and maximum drinks. Less negative evaluations of Physical/Behavioral consequences predicted more alcohol problems the following semester.