How Specific is Alcohol-Specific Self-Control? A Longitudinal Study of the Mediating Role of Alcohol-Specific Self-Control in the Relation Between General Self-Control and Adolescent Alcohol Use

Abstract

Although accumulating studies indicate that alcohol-specific self-control can be useful in predicting adolescent alcohol use, little is known about its specificity. This longitudinal study aimed to advance our understanding of domain-specific self-control by examining whether alcohol-specific self-control mediates the effect of general self-control on adolescent alcohol use or has generalizing effects by also mediating the effect of general self-control on other behavior requiring self-control (adolescent digital media use and smoking). Data from 906 adolescents aged 11–14 years who were enrolled in the Dutch study Prevention of Alcohol Use in Students were used. Data were collected using online questionnaires at four annual measurements. Structural equation modelling revealed that higher alcohol-specific self-control fully mediated the effect of higher general self-control on alcohol use. Alcohol-specific self-control did not mediate the effect of higher general self-control on digital media use, but did partially mediate the effect of higher general self-control on smoking. These results suggest that alcohol-specific self-control is domain-specific, but not necessarily substance-specific. The domain-specificity of alcohol-specific self-control provides evidence for its theoretical relevance for the explanation of adolescent alcohol use. It also suggests leverage points for intervention programs focusing on improving alcohol-specific self-control to reduce adolescent alcohol use.

Willingness to reduce alcohol consumption predicted by short-form video exposure, media involvement, psychological bias, and cognitive factor

“…Previous cross-sectional studies have found that exposure to short-form video and social media involvement have increased individuals’ motivation to overcome alcohol consumption ( Russell et al, 2021 ; Zeping, 2023 ). In addition, scholars have extensively examined key determinants such as attitudes toward alcohol ( Morgenstern et al, 2011 ), self-control ( Geurts et al, 2020 ), and perceived risk ( Wolburg, 2001 ) that contribute to individuals’ willingness to reduce alcohol consumption (WRAC) across countries. The majority of studies have examined both direct and mediated effects of factors on WRAC under social psychological and cognitive theories (e.g., theory of planned behavior, theories of motivation, and social cognition) ( Caudwell et al, 2019 ; Ajzen and Schmidt, 2020 ; Hagger and Hamilton, 2021 ).…”