Pre-drinking and alcohol-related harm in undergraduates: the influence of explicit motives and implicit alcohol identity

Does identity as a drinker predict problem recognition motivation in harmful drinkers?

Harmful drinking is associated with significant negative health and social outcomes, but drinkers are reticent to recognise personal drinking problems, hindering natural recovery or help-seeking. Recent evidence suggests that social identity as a drinker is associated with various drinking-related factors but has not been examined in relation to likelihood of problem recognition. In a group of ninety-six harmful drinkers (61 females, M age = 34 years) we explored how identity components associated with ingroup self-investment and ingroup self-definition in combination with implicit identity as a drinker accounted for degrees of problem recognition. In addition to demographic information, addiction experience and drinking behaviour (AUDIT), respondents completed measures of ingroup self-investment (identity centrality, solidarity, and satisfaction), ingroup self-definition (ingroup homogeneity and self-stereotyping), a "self as drinker" identity implicit association test and problem recognition (four items from the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale). After controlling for possible covariates (age, gender and alcohol addiction experience) increased problem recognition was accounted for by explicit and not implicit identity components. More specifically, increasing perceived chronic saliency of one's drinker identity (self-investment in the drinker ingroup) and not an implicit association between the self and being a drinker was related to increased likelihood of problem recognition. This suggests that how chronically and explicitly accessible the identity of the drinker is for individuals might operate to stimulate the willingness or motivation to recognise potential drinking related harm.

Unmasking Distorted Reflections: Exploring Body Image, Alcohol, and Drug Use in Nighttime Entertainment Districts

Background: Violence within nighttime entertainment districts (NEDs) has been blamed on problematic masculinity and has predominantly been attributed to excessive alcohol intake and steroid use in men. In this report we conducted two studies to: (1) ascertain whether researchers could act as third-party raters of body weight and muscle mass in NED patrons; and (2) to examine the relationship between body self-image, inebriation, alcohol preloading behaviors and drug use in the NEDs. Methods: Study 1 employed an observational approach to establish inter-rater reliability for ratings of muscle mass and weight. In Study 2 data (n = 2,745) were collected through breathalyzing and questionnaires to examine individuals' self-image and drinking and drug-taking behaviors. Results: Participants' self-ratings of muscle and weight significantly differed from researchers' ratings, with males perceiving themselves as less muscular and females perceiving themselves as heavier. Perceived weight and muscle size did not relate to alcohol levels, but an interaction was found for female steroid users who perceived themselves as less muscular. Conclusions: Findings indicated a distortion in participants' perceived body image, with a desire for muscularity among both males and females. These results underscore the complex interplay between self-perception, societal ideals, and drug use in young NED patrons.

A national study on pregaming motives, frequency, consumption, and negative alcohol consequences among university students in the United States

BACKGROUND

Pregaming, or drinking before going out, is a commonly practiced risky behavior. Drinking motives are well-established predictors of alcohol use and negative alcohol consequences. Given the influence of context on drinking practices, motives specific to pregaming may affect pregaming behaviors and outcomes above and beyond general drinking motives. Thus, we examined how pregaming motives are related to pregaming behaviors and negative alcohol consequences.

METHODS

Using data from two national cross-sectional online studies, the current study included undergraduates who pregamed at least once in the past month (n=10,200, Mage=19.9, women=61%, white=73.6%; 119 U.S. universities). Participants completed assessments of demographics, general drinking motives, pregaming motives, pregaming frequency/consumption, and negative alcohol consequences. Data were analyzed using hierarchical linear models accounting for nesting of participants within sites.

RESULTS

When controlling for demographic factors and general drinking motives, interpersonal enhancement motives and intimate pursuit motives were positively associated with pregaming frequency, pregaming consumption, and negative alcohol consequences. Situational control motives were negatively associated with pregaming consumption and negative alcohol consequences. Barriers to consumption motives were negatively associated with pregaming frequency but positively associated with negative alcohol consequences.

CONCLUSIONS

Students who pregame to make the night more fun or to meet potential dating partners appear to be at particular risk for negative alcohol consequences. Motives may be modifiable, particularly via cognitive/behavioral strategies. Findings suggest that specific motives may be appropriate intervention targets when trying to reduce pregaming behaviors and negative alcohol consequences.

The nomological network of drinker identity: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Despite the growing interest in the construct of drinker identity and empirical evidence for its role in drinking behavior, there is a paucity of papers that evaluate and integrate the results of studies on drinker identity, leaving a gap in our knowledge of the importance of the drinker identity construct. The current paper addresses this gap by reviewing and integrating the results of the studies of drinker identity.

METHODS

The scoping review identified, retrieved, and evaluated the existing literature regarding drinker identity. English language studies from EBSCOHost, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases were reviewed. Studies were included in the review if they were data-based studies or theoretical publications with drinker identity as the primary topic published in peer-reviewed journals. Studies were reviewed and coded based on their reported methodology and findings and codes were used to integrate and present findings.

RESULTS

This review advances this line of research in four ways. First, the operationalization of drinker identity is evaluated by examining the theoretical frameworks defining the construct. Second, the conceptualization and measurement of drinker identity is assessed, with suggestions for future measurement research. Third, an integrated framework of predictors, outcomes, moderators, and mediators is presented. Finally, the research gaps, future recommendations, and clinical implications are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for continued research, specifically research which aims to standardize and improve measurement of drinker identity, considers longitudinal and developmental processes, and broadens the research samples and settings.

A cross-national study of predrinking motives in Spain and the UK: Cross-sectional associations with risk-taking and alcohol consumption

This study contrasts young people's predrinking in two European cultural contexts: Spain and the UK. Whilst UK predrinking typically occurs amongst small groups of individuals who already know one another, the distinctive Spanish context of the Botellón details a far larger gathering in which participants may be less likely to know each other. As such, predrinking motives which drive consumption and risk-taking may be expected to vary between these cultures. An online questionnaire (N = 397; UK = 167, Spain = 230) was used to examine a variety of drinking behaviours and associated beliefs/motivations including predrinking motivations, drinking behaviour, and risk taking. Path analysis was used to analyse both direct and indirect relationships between the measures with the aim of predicting problem alcohol consumption with the most parsimonious model. Varying (in)direct paths were observed between predrinking motives and alcohol consumption between the cultures. Most notably and pointing towards inconsistency in the drivers of young adults' drinking, fun predrinking motives featured prominently among Spanish respondents and predicted their reported consumption (not so in the UK), while conviviality was a more prevalent predrinking motive in the UK sample and associated with alcohol consumption (not the case in Spain). Further, (personal) risky behaviour and risk-taking predicted consumption in both samples, suggesting the importance of group norms and behaviours in predrinking activity, irrespective of alcohol consumption. These findings highlight the potential importance of the environment in which young people predrink. Given their importance in shaping alcohol consumption and risk taking in young people, cultural differences in predrinking contexts and motives warrant further investigation.

The perceived impact that alcohol policy could have on Brazilian and British students' pre-drinking behaviour

BACKGROUND

Evidence on how pre-drinking (i.e., drinking in private or in unlicensed settings before going out) varies across cultures and its implications for defining policies and prevention strategies is needed. We explored the perceived impact that various alcohol policies could have on pre-drinking practices amongst Brazilian and British students that pre-drink.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, online survey amongst student drinkers aged 18-29 in England (N = 387) and Brazil (N = 1,048) explored sociodemographic, pre-drinking habits, and attitudes towards alcohol policies (increasing prices, regulating availability, and restricting promotions).

RESULTS

A greater proportion of British students were aged between 18 and 21 years old (67.2%) than Brazilian students (45.2%; p < 0.001). More British (ENG 85.8%) than Brazilian (BRA 44.8%, p < 0.001) students reported pre-drinking. Pre-drinkers' main motivation was to save money (BRA 66.5%, ENG 46.2%, p < 0.001). In multivariate analyses, in Brazil, male (Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.53, CI: 1.04-2.24) and white (OR: 1.60, CI: 1.03-2.49) pre-drinkers were more likely to believe that increasing prices policies could reduce their pre-drinking habits. In Brazil, white pre-drinkers (OR: 1.86, CI: 1.10-3.15) were more likely to believe that restricting alcohol promotions policies could reduce their pre-drinking habits. Regarding the perceived impact that the combined alcohol policies could have on students' pre-drinking practice, only in Brazil there were significant statistical results.

CONCLUSIONS

Whilst in Brazil none of the investigated alcohol policies are currently implemented, more Brazilian pre-drinkers believed that such legislation could reduce their pre-drinking practices (when compared with British pre-drinkers). These data may help legislators and stakeholders to better understand the characteristics of a more acceptable alcohol policy amongst university students.

I am what I am: A meta-analysis of the association between substance user identities and substance use-related outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Research indicates that a substance user identity (i.e., drinking, smoking, and marijuana identity) is positively correlated with substance use-related outcomes (e.g., frequency, quantity, consequences, and disorder symptoms). The current study aimed to meta-analytically derive single, weighted effect size estimates of the identity-outcome association as well as to examine moderators (e.g., substance use type, explicit/implicit assessment, demographic characteristics, and research design) of this association.

METHOD

Random effects meta-analysis was conducted on 70 unique samples that assessed substance user identity and at least one substance use-related outcome (frequency, quantity, consequences, and/or disorder symptoms), and provided the necessary information for effect size calculations.

RESULTS

Substance user identity was found to be a statistically significant moderate-to-large correlate of all substance use-related outcomes examined in the current study (r _w = .365, p < .001, r_w² = .133). The strongest associations were observed between identity and disorder symptoms (alcohol) and frequency of substance use (tobacco or marijuana). In terms of moderators of the identity-outcome association, the link between explicit drinking identity and alcohol use-related outcomes appeared to be stronger in magnitude than the relationship between implicit drinking identity and alcohol use-related outcomes; however, this difference appears to be largely due to the finding that implicit measures have lower reliability. The strongest identity-outcome association was observed among younger individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

Substance user identity is clearly an important correlate of substance use-related outcomes and this association is stronger among younger individuals. Additional theoretical, empirical, and intervention research is needed to utilize knowledge gleaned from the current study on the identity-outcome association. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

On the role of (implicit) drinking self-identity in alcohol use and problematic drinking: A comparison of five measures

Objective: Implicit and explicit drinking self-identity appear to be useful in predicting alcohol-related outcomes. However, there are several different implicit and explicit measures which can be used to assess drinking self-identity. Some of these implicit measures can also capture relational information (e.g., I am a drinker, I should be a drinker), which might provide unique advantages. Despite the importance of having good measures of drinking self-identity, to date there has been little direct comparison of these measures. Method: This study (N = 358) systematically compared two commonly used measures of drinking self-identity (one implicit and one explicit: the Implicit Association Test [IAT] and the Alcohol Self-Concept Scale [ASCS]) with three relational measures of implicit self-identity (the autobiographical IAT [aIAT], the Relational Responding Task [RRT], and the Propositional Concealed Information Test [pCIT]) on a range of criteria relevant to experimental and clinical alcohol researchers. Results: Overall, we found mixed performances on the implicit measures. Interestingly, the aIAT, which probed should-based drinking identity, performed better than the standard IAT. However, the explicit measure exhibited superior performance to all other measures across all criteria. Conclusions: Our results suggest that researchers who wish to assess drinking-related self-identity and to predict alcohol-related outcomes cross-sectionally should set their focus primarily on the use (and further development) of the ASCS, rather than any of the implicit measures. Future research focusing on the ASCS should seek to investigate the generalizability of our findings to patient populations, and incorporate relational information within that procedure to further improve upon its already-strong utility. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Do preparatory behaviours predict alcohol consumption among UK university students?

OBJECTIVE

This study explored whether the frequency and habitual nature of engagement in three behaviours that may serve as preparation for alcohol consumption on a night out with friends - that is, contacting friends to arrange a night out, buying alcohol, drinking alone at home before going out - predicted consumption on such nights.

DESIGN

Prospective correlational design.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty UK university students (68 female, 50 male, two non-binary, mean age = 20.78 years, SD = 1.52) completed a survey comprising intentions, habits, and frequency and habit for the three preparatory behaviours. One week later, a second survey measured the number of nights out with friends on which alcohol was drunk (i.e., drinking frequency) and the number on which four or more alcoholic drinks were consumed (i.e, excessive drinking). Regression models were run to predict drinking frequency and excessive drinking.

RESULTS

Drinking frequency was predicted only by frequency of contacting friends (B = .28, SE = .12, p = .02), and habitually drinking alone before going out (B = .20, SE = .09, p = .03). Excessive drinking was only predicted by alcohol consumption habit (B = .67, SE = .23, p = .003).

CONCLUSIONS

Preceding actions may influence the frequency of alcohol consumption on nights out, independently of intentions and habits relating to alcohol consumption. While interventions to reduce consumption quantity in a single session might focus on disrupting the habits that sustain drinking episodes, efforts to reduce alcohol consumption frequency on nights out might focus on disrupting behaviours that precede alcohol consumption.

Alcohol-related risk from pre-loading and heavy episodic drinking (HED) among a cohort of young Australian women: a cross-sectional analysis

OBJECTIVE

To cross-sectionally examine heavy episodic drinking (HED) and pre-loading with alcohol among young Australian women in relation to the alcohol-induced adverse outcomes of memory loss, vomiting and injury.

METHODS

A total of 7,800 participants, aged 20-25 years, from the 1989-95 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health answered all questions on alcohol use, reported drinking alcohol in the previous year and were not pregnant at the third survey in 2015. Log-binomial models were used to estimate prevalence ratios for adverse outcomes associated with increased frequency of HED and pre-loading.

RESULTS

The majority of participants reported HED (83.4%) and/or pre-loading (65.6%), which had a moderate correlation (r=0.646). Just over half (55.2%) of participants experienced at least one adverse event, with vomiting being most common. As the frequency of HED or pre-loading increased, so did the risk of an adverse outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Both HED and pre-loading pose a risk to young Australian women, and that risk rises with increased frequency. Implications for public health: Although HED has been a target of public health policy and interventions, pre-loading has received limited attention. In addition to addressing HED, there is a need to consider the risk posed by pre-loading, a related, yet unique risky drinking behaviour.

Predicting limiting 'free sugar' consumption using an integrated model of health behavior

Excess intake of 'free sugars' is a key predictor of chronic disease, obesity, and dental ill health. Given the importance of determining modifiable predictors of free sugar-related dietary behaviors, we applied the integrated behavior change model to predict free sugar limiting behaviors. The model includes constructs representing 'reasoned' or deliberative processes that lead to action (e.g., social cognition constructs, intentions), and constructs representing 'non-conscious' or implicit processes (e.g., implicit attitudes, behavioral automaticity) as predictors of behavior. Undergraduate students (N = 205) completed measures of autonomous and controlled motivation, the theory of planned behavior (TPB) measures of explicit attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and intentions, past behavior, implicit attitude, and behavioral automaticity at an initial point in time, and free sugar limiting behavior and behavioral automaticity two weeks later. A Bayesian structural equation model indicated that explicit attitude, subjective norms, and PBC predicted behavior via intention. Autonomous motivation predicted behavior indirectly through all TPB variables, while controlled motivation predicted behavior only via subjective norms. Implicit attitudes and behavioral automaticity predicted behavior directly and independently. Past behavior predicted behavior directly and indirectly through behavioral automaticity and intentions, but not implicit attitudes. Current findings suggest pervasive effects of constructs representing both reasoned and non-conscious processes and signpost potential targets for behavioral interventions aimed at minimizing free sugar consumption.

Growth Mindsets of Alcoholism Buffer Against Deleterious Effects of Drinking Identity on Problem Drinking Over Time

BACKGROUND

Explicit (self-report) and implicit (indirect) measures of identification with drinking alcohol-drinking identity-are associated with drinking outcomes cross-sectionally and longitudinally. A key next step is to identify moderators. The current study evaluated a promising moderator: mindsets of alcoholism. Believing people can change (growth mindset) is associated with adaptive outcomes in domains such as mental health, but research is scant regarding mindsets related to problematic drinking. We evaluated whether individuals' alcoholism mindsets moderated the drinking identity to drinking relation as part of a larger, longitudinal web-based study of heavy drinkers.

METHODS

A total of 422 US college graduates (59% women) who were heavy drinkers completed measures assessing drinking identity, mindsets, and drinking outcomes (consumption, problems, and risk of alcohol use disorder). Drinking outcomes were assessed at 2 subsequent assessments occurring 4 and 8 months after the initial assessment.

RESULTS

Drinking identity was positively associated with drinking outcomes, and drinking outcomes reduced following college graduation. Alcoholism mindsets were significantly and negatively correlated with all drinking outcomes. Mindsets were only conditionally associated with drinking behaviors over time in models that evaluated mindsets, drinking identity measures, and their interaction. Mindsets moderated the relationship between drinking identity and changes in drinking behaviors, but the relation was specific to explicit drinking identity and consumption. Among participants with stronger drinking identity, those who had stronger (vs. weaker) growth mindsets reported reduction in consumption over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Growth mindsets of alcoholism appear adaptive for college graduate heavy drinkers with a stronger drinking identity. Mindsets are amenable to interventions; targeting them may be useful in heavy-drinking college graduates.

Exploring the links between unhealthy eating behaviour and heavy alcohol use in the social, emotional and cultural lives of young adults (aged 18-25): A qualitative research study

Alcohol use peaks in early adulthood and can contribute both directly and indirectly to unhealthy weight gain. This is the first qualitative study to explore the links between unhealthy eating behaviour and heavy alcohol use in the social, emotional and cultural lives of young adults. We conducted 45 in-depth interviews with 18-25-year-olds in North-East England to inform development of a dual-focused intervention to reduce health risk due to excess weight gain and alcohol use. Data were analysed thematically, following the principles of constant comparison, resulting in three intersecting themes: (1) how food and alcohol consumption currently link together for this population group; (2) influences upon linked eating and drinking behaviours and (3) young adults' feelings and concerns about linked eating and drinking behaviours. Socio-cultural, physical and emotional links between food and alcohol consumption were an unquestioned norm among young adults. Eating patterns linked to alcohol use were not tied only to hunger, but also to sociability, traditions and identity. Young adults conceptualised and calculated risks to weight, appearance and social status, rather than to long-term health. This study is the first to evidence the deeply interconnected nature of food and alcohol consumption for many young adults. Findings have important implications for intervention development, UK public health policy and practice, and point to a need for similar research in other countries.

Predictors of Adverse Alcohol Use Consequences Among Tertiary Students

BACKGROUND

The alcohol consumption patterns of young adults are of concern. Critically, tertiary students consume greater quantities of alcohol, are at increased risk of injury/harm, and have higher rates of alcohol use disorders as compared to their nonuniversity enrolled peers. The Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (BYAACQ) is one of several tools utilized to explore adverse alcohol-related outcomes among tertiary students. Alcohol intake behavior, assessed via retrospective summary measures, has been linked to BYAACQ score. It is unclear, however, how drinking assessed in real time, in conjunction with variables such as age of drinking onset, might predict severity of adverse alcohol consequences as captured by the BYAACQ.

METHODS

The psychometric properties of the BYAACQ were explored using a large Australian sample of tertiary students (N = 893). A subsample (n = 504) provided alcohol intake information in real time (21 days; event and notification contingent) via a smartphone app (CNLab-A) plus details related to age of drinking onset, drug use, parental alcohol/drug use, and anxiety/depression symptomology.

RESULTS

Average BYAACQ score was 7.53 (SD = 5.37). Classical and item response theory analyses revealed inconsistencies related to dimensionality, progressive item severity, and male/female differential item functioning. Current drinking-namely, frequency of intake and quantity per drinking occasion-plus age of drinking onset predicted BYAACQ score after controlling for age, other drug use, and depression symptomology.

CONCLUSIONS

The BYAACQ is a sound tool for use with Australian samples. Information related to current drinking, age of drinking onset, and drug use is useful for predicting severity of alcohol use consequences. These markers might enable tertiary institutions to better target students who could benefit from prevention/intervention programs.

Resolving an identity crisis: Implicit drinking identity and implicit alcohol identity are related but not the same

Two variations of the Implicit Association Test (IAT), the Drinking Identity IAT and the Alcohol Identity IAT, assess implicit associations held in memory between one's identity and alcohol-related constructs. Both have been shown to predict numerous drinking outcomes, but these IATs have never been directly compared to one another. The purpose of this study was to compare these IATs and evaluate their incremental predictive validity. US undergraduate students (N=64, 50% female, mean age=21.98years) completed the Drinking Identity IAT, the Alcohol Identity IAT, an explicit measure of drinking identity, as well as measures of typical alcohol consumption and hazardous drinking. When evaluated in separate regression models that controlled for explicit drinking identity, results indicated that the Drinking Identity IAT and the Alcohol Identity IAT were significant, positive predictors of typical alcohol consumption, and that the Drinking Identity IAT, but not the Alcohol Identity IAT, was a significant predictor of hazardous drinking. When evaluated in the same regression models, the Drinking Identity IAT, but not the Alcohol Identity IAT, was significantly associated with typical and hazardous drinking. These results suggest that the Drinking Identity IAT and Alcohol Identity IAT are related but not redundant. Moreover, given that the Drinking Identity IAT, but not the Alcohol Identity IAT, incrementally predicted variance in drinking outcomes, identification with drinking behavior and social groups, as opposed to identification with alcohol itself, may be an especially strong predictor of drinking outcomes.

'It's like a drink you'd have before you go to a party': Analysis of a Vodka Cruiser advertising campaign

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

The aim of the present study was to explore young women's understandings of, and interactions with, an advertising campaign for a pre-mixed alcohol product that appeared to be promoting pre-drinking. This campaign was the subject of complaints to the Alcohol Advertising Review Board, revealing an inconsistency between the way the company responded to such complaints (arguing that the campaign does not encourage pre-drinking) and the way it described the campaign in trade press (the pre-drink enjoyed by the 'girls' while getting ready …).

DESIGN AND METHODS

Twelve focus groups were conducted with 72 young women, aged 15-25 years in Melbourne, Australia. These young women's interpretations of the messages communicated in this advertising campaign were analysed thematically.

RESULTS

The young women identified, without prompting, the main message of the campaign as being a reference to pre-drinking. Most notably, the women saw the target audience as young (including underage) women.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Given that young women who drink are increasingly doing so at harmful levels, a marketing campaign, which is interpreted by the target audience to encourage pre-drinking among young (including underage) women, appears to be inconsistent with the industry's own code for alcohol advertising. We renew the call for effective regulation of alcohol advertising to better protect young Australians. [Jones SC, Francis KL, Gordon CS. 'It's like a drink you'd have before you go to a party': Analysis of a Vodka Cruiser advertising campaign. Drug Alcohol Rev 2018;37:36-41].

Lay understanding of the causes of binge drinking in the United Kingdom and Australia: a network diagram approach

Binge drinking is associated with deleterious health, social and economic outcomes. This study explored the lay understanding of the causes of binge drinking in members of the general public in the United Kingdom and Australia. Participants in the United Kingdom (N = 133) and Australia (N = 102) completed a network diagram exercise requiring them to draw causal paths and provide path strength ratings between 12 candidate factors (24-h opening, age, alcohol advertizing, alcohol availability, boredom, drinking culture, income, low cost, parental influence, peer pressure, stress and supermarket discounts) and binge drinking. Results indicated good consistency in paths across samples, although differences in frequency and strength ratings for some paths were found. Drinking culture, peer pressure and low alcohol cost were perceived as direct causes of binge drinking in both samples. Low alcohol cost and drinking culture were most frequently viewed as direct causes of binge drinking in UK and Australian participants, respectively. Supermarket discounts and low cost of alcohol were most frequently viewed as indirect causes of binge drinking by UK and Australian samples. Findings reflect general awareness and prominence of factors affecting binge drinking in both national groups. Findings may inform the development of campaigns to promote public support policies to curb binge drinking.

A review of implicit and explicit substance self-concept as a predictor of alcohol and tobacco use and misuse

BACKGROUND

This paper provides an overview of the self-concept as it relates to substance use. Self-concept has a long history in psychological theory and research; however, substance self-concept (e.g., viewing one's self as a drinker or smoker) is an understudied area of research with the potential to expand existing conceptualizations of substance use, addiction, and prevention and treatment efforts, and should receive greater research attention.

OBJECTIVES

First, we review and provide a theoretical framework of substance self-concept that draws from dual process models and distinguishes between implicit and explicit self-concept. Next, we summarize key findings related to substance use in the extant literature, focusing on alcohol and tobacco (smoking).

RESULTS

Across both substances, there is converging evidence that substance self-concept is associated with substance use outcomes, including quantity and frequency of use and problems associated with use, and that change in substance self-concept is associated with recovery from substance misuse. Recommendations for the substance self-concept research agenda include routine assessment of substance self-concept, expanded use of implicit measures, investigation of moderators of substance self-concept, and targeting substance self-concept directly in prevention and intervention efforts.

CONCLUSION

Ultimately, we suggest that substance self-concept is a promising, but understudied, construct. Greater research attention to substance self-concept could clarify its potential as an important risk factor for hazardous use and addiction as well as its utility as a prevention and treatment target.

What Is Pregaming and How Prevalent Is It Among U.S. College Students? An Introduction to the Special Issue on Pregaming

Pregaming (or prepartying) can be defined as drinking before going to an event or gathering. The heavy consumption of alcohol and resulting negative consequences that are associated with pregaming have prompted scholars to investigate this risky drinking practice. Indeed, research on college pregaming has grown considerably within the past decade, with over 80 articles published since the seminal empirical studies on pregaming were published in 2007. This special issue in Substance Use & Misuse seeks to address a number of topics on pregaming among U.S. college students that are not well understood. The articles in this special issue explore pregaming behaviors among particular subgroups of students (i.e., college freshmen; postgraduates) as well as the following topics as they pertain to pregaming: exposure to trauma, emotion regulation, social norms, pregaming motives, protective behavioral strategies, and intervention efforts. This prologue to the special issue will discuss key points regarding the definition of pregaming, present an overview of the prevalence rates of pregaming among U.S. college students within the past decade, and introduce articles that advance the understanding of factors that contribute to the high-risk drinking context of pregaming.

Implicit and explicit drinker identities interactively predict in-the-moment alcohol placebo consumption

Introduction

Having an identity as a ‘drinker’ has been linked to increased alcohol-related harm, self-reported consumption and self-reported intention to engage in risky drinking behavior. These effects have been observed when identities have been measured using explicit measures (e.g. via questionnaires) and implicitly (e.g. using Implicit Association Tests [IATs] adapted to measure identity). Little research has used actual behavioral measures to measure alcohol consumption in-the-moment, nor compared the effects of implicit and explicit identities directly.

Methods

Participants' (n = 40) implicit and explicit identities associated with being a drinker were measured. Attitudes towards one's own drinking were measured explicitly. Participants completed a Pouring Taste Preference Task [PTPT] involving the consumption and rating of non-alcoholic wine. This provided a behavioral measure of intention (pouring), a behavioral measure of consumption and a measure of the implementation of intention into behavior.

Results

Results showed an interactive effect of implicit and explicit identities on attitudes and behavior. Explicit identities predicted attitudes towards drinking, but not behavior. Neither identity predicted the amount poured. Implicit identities predicted the amount consumed. A greater proportion of wine poured was predicted by higher implicit identities when explicit identities were absent.

Conclusion

These results suggest that explicit identities may be associated more with those beliefs about drinking that one is aware of than behavioral intention. In addition, explicit identities may not predict behavioral enactment well. Implicit identity shows effects on actual behavior and not behavioral intention. Together this highlights the differential influence of reflective (explicit) and impulsive (implicit) identity in-the-moment behavior.

•

Implicit drinker identity is linked with self-reported past usage and intentions.

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Study compares implicit/explicit identity effects on attitudes and actual behavior.

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Implicit identities predicted drinking behavior but not attitudes to own drinking.

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When explicit identities are low, behavior is predicted by implicit identity.

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Findings suggest that implicit/explicit identities may sometimes differ in their effects.

Beyond pre-loading: Understanding the associations between pre-, side- and back-loading drinking behavior and risky drinking

This study examined the interaction between pre-, side- and back-loading drinking behaviors and their relationship to risky drinking, modeling to account for demographic characteristics. The study was based on an online non-probability panel survey of Victorian adults (18+) who purchased packaged liquor for off premises consumption in the previous 12months. Initially, 2545 participants entered the study, with 536 screened out, leaving a sample of 2008 respondents. While pre-loading was the most commonly reported loading behavior, back-loading and side-loading were reported almost as frequently. We found a clear association between loading and risky drinking behavior. Respondents who reported engaging in all loading behaviors were more likely to report regular very risky drinking. Age and sex were significant factors influencing the relationship between loading types and risky drinking behavior; income, marital status, and the interaction between sex and age were not significant factors. We show a broad range of loading behaviors associated with increased levels of risky drinking. Future research should seek to investigate these loading behaviors among a general population sample.

Combining motivational and volitional approaches to reducing excessive alcohol consumption in pre-drinkers: a theory-based intervention protocol

BACKGROUND

Pre-drinking refers to the consumption of alcohol at home or a private residence prior to attending a subsequent social event. We present the study protocol of an online theory-based intervention to reduce pre-drinking and related harm in pre-drinking undergraduates, using behavior change techniques targeting the motivational and volitional phases of behaviour.

DESIGN

A fully randomized 2 (autonomy support: present vs. absent) x 2 (implementation intention: present vs. absent) between-participants design will be used to ascertain the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing pre-drinking alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm. Participants will complete a range of theory-based measures prior to being allocated to one of the four experimental conditions. Four weeks later, participants will complete a follow-up questionnaire comprised of theoretical and behavioral measures.

ANALYSES

The main and interactive effects of the intervention components in reducing our primary dependent variables, namely, pre-drinking alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm at four-week follow-up will be tested. Baseline alcohol consumption and demographic information will be included in the analysis as covariates.

DISCUSSION

This online intervention is the first to be developed to reduce pre-drinking alcohol consumption, a behaviour linked to increased risk of alcohol-related harm. The intervention targets motivational and volitional components of the behaviour change process and is therefore likely to lead to greater reductions in pre-drinking alcohol consumption and experience of alcohol-related harm compared to either approach in isolation. If successful, the intervention can be implemented across various contexts and in populations where pre-drinking is prevalent.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ACTRN12614001102662 . Registered 16 October 2014.