Alcohol-induced disinhibition expectancies and impaired control as prospective predictors of problem drinking in undergraduates.

Abstract

Trait disinhibition is associated with problem drinking and alcohol drinking itself can bring about a state of disinhibition. It is unclear however, if expectancies of alcohol-induced disinhibition are unique predictors of problem drinking. Impaired control (i.e., difficulty in limiting alcohol consumption) may be related to disinhibition expectancies in that both involve issues of control related to alcohol use. Data from a prospective survey of undergraduates assessed during freshman (N = 337) and senior year (N = 201) were analyzed to determine whether subscales of the DrinkingInduced Disinhibition Scale and the Impaired Control Scale predicted unique variance in heavy episodic drinking and alcohol-related problems. In Time 1 cross-sectional models, dysphoric disinhibition expectancies predicted alcohol-related problems and impaired control predicted both alcohol-related problems and heavy episodic drinking. In prospective models, Time 1 impaired control predicted Time 2 alcohol-related problems and Time 1 euphoric/social disinhibition expectancies predicted Time 2 heavy episodic drinking. These findings suggest that expectancies of alcohol-induced disinhibition and impaired control predict unique variance in problem drinking cross-sectionally and prospectively and that these phenomena should be targeted in early intervention efforts.

The influence of groups and alcohol consumption on individual risk-taking

“…This body of work alludes to pharmacologically induced deficits in cognitive functioning leading to disinhibition (Leeman, Toll, Taylor, & Volpicelli, 2009) and increased attentional bias, or focal narrowing (Steele & Josephs, 1988;Steele & Josephs, 1990). However, as drinking generally occurs alongside peers (Gordon et al, 2012;Heath, 2000), it is important to consider the contributing social factors on alcohol-related behaviours.…”

“…Impulsive, or disinhibited, individuals share a number of characteristics, whereby they appear to make quick decisions, carry out unplanned behaviours (Fernie et al, 2010;Weafer & Fillmore, 2012b) and have difficultly inhibiting prepotent responses, diminishing behavioural constraint (Giancola et al, 2010;Leeman et al, 2009). Assessing these characteristics, disinhibition is typically tested in a laboratory using behavioural tasks such as the go/no-go task (Marczinski & Fillmore, 2003), where reaction time and frequency of failed attempts to inhibit behaviour (such as a button pressing) are measured.…”

“…Accordingly, research using this behavioural task has found that alcohol consumption seems to be associated with a longer reaction time during trials requiring inhibition, and increases in inhibitory failures (false alarms) Weafer et al, 2011). However, akin to impulsivity, disinhibition is also indicated to be both a determinant, and consequence, of alcohol consumption (de Wit, 2008;Leeman et al, 2009). …”

Alcohol Sensitivity Moderates the Indirect Associations Between Impulsive Traits, Impaired Control Over Drinking, and Drinking Outcomes

“…Impaired control over drinking is a common experience among young adult drinkers and is predictive of heavy alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems (Chung and Martin, 2002;Leeman et al, 2012;Leeman et al, 2009;McCusker, 2006;Nagoshi, 1999). The impaired control construct encompasses both the failure to follow through on intentions to abstain from alcohol as well as failed attempts to limit the amount of alcohol consumed during a drinking episode (Heather et al, 1993;Kahler and Epstein, 1995).…”

“…The impaired control construct encompasses both the failure to follow through on intentions to abstain from alcohol as well as failed attempts to limit the amount of alcohol consumed during a drinking episode (Heather et al, 1993;Kahler and Epstein, 1995). Impaired control is a hallmark of addictive disorders; it is one of the earliest symptoms to develop in alcohol dependent individuals and may be a precursor to more severe alcohol problems (Langenbucher and Chung, 1995;Leeman et al, 2009;Nelson et al, 1998). Identifying factors that contribute to impaired control could inform interventions to reduce heavy drinking among young adults.…”