“I cannot stand the boredom.” Binge drinking expectancies in adolescence

Abstract

Introduction: The main aim of this study is to improve our knowledge on binge drinking behavior in adolescents. In particular, we tested a model of predictors of binge drinking focusing on boredom proneness; we also examined the predictive and mediating role of drinking expectancies on binge drinking. Methods: A questionnaire designed to assess current drinking behavior, such as binge drinking, drinking expectancies and boredom proneness, was administered to 721 Italian adolescents (61% females) aged between 13 and 19 years (M = 15.98, SD = 1.61). Results: Structural equation modeling confirmed the evidence on drinking expectancies as predicted by boredom proneness and as predictive of adolescents' binge drinking. Interestingly, disinhibition and relief from pain seem to play a more important mediating role between boredom and alcohol outcome. Conversely, no mediation was found for interpersonal and social confidence expectancies on binge drinking. Conclusions: In general, the results suggest that preventative interventions on alcohol misuse should focus on personality traits and underlying drinking expectancies.

Binge drinking: Prevalence, correlates, and expectancies of alcohol use among individuals with first‐episode psychosis

“…Addington and Addington (2007) and Cardoso et al (2008) had similarly found no difference in QOL between alcohol abusers and non-abusers among FEP and bipolar populations, respectively. Cardoso et al (2008) proposed that the self-report nature of the questionnaires may limit studies' abilities to (Addington & Duchak, 1997;Archie et al, 2013;Biolcati et al, 2016;Spencer, Castle, & Michie, 2002). These three themes were similarly found within our sample; individuals who had ever binged were more likely to agree that alcohol helps to enhance social activities and enables people to have more fun (enhancement); deal with stress (coping); and helps "break the ice" and create easier connections with friends (socializing).…”

“…Psychotherapy interventions utilizing motivational elements have shown efficacy in reducing alcohol use among persons with psychosis (Baker et al, ; Hulse & Tait, ); understanding the underlying motivations for drinking patterns will be beneficial for further tailoring therapeutic interventions. Previous research on reasons for alcohol use among populations with and without psychosis has consistently identified three key motivations: (a) enhancement/pleasure seeking; (b) coping with psychological distress or negative affect; and (c) socializing‐related motives (Addington & Duchak, ; Archie et al, ; Biolcati et al, ; Spencer, Castle, & Michie, ). These three themes were similarly found within our sample; individuals who had ever binged were more likely to agree that alcohol helps to enhance social activities and enables people to have more fun (enhancement); deal with stress (coping); and helps “break the ice” and create easier connections with friends (socializing).…”

“…Binge drinking, also known as heavy episodic drinking, is a pattern of risky alcohol consumption commonly attributed to young adults (Kuntsche, Kuntsche, Thrul, & Gmel, 2017;Yi, Ngin, Peltzer, & Pengpid, 2017). It is often measured as having consumed four or more drinks on one occasion for women, and five or more drinks on one occasion for men (Biolcati, Passini, & Mancini, 2016;Lim et al, 2013).…”

“…Petit, Maurage, Kornreich, Verbanck, and Campanella (2014) reported that the alternating sessions of alcohol intoxication and abstinence may have worse consequences than other harmful patterns of alcohol misuse. Crucially, not only does binge drinking occur in individuals with increased alcohol use and frequency, it is associated with higher odds of acquiring riskier drinking patterns and developing alcohol dependence (Biolcati et al, 2016;Kim et al, 2008;Robin et al, 1998). Although previous research has focused on AUDs, studies generally report that more people with psychosis present risky drinking patterns than diagnosable criteria for AUDs (Archie et al, 2007;Barry et al, 2006).…”

“…These expectancies motivate behavioural decisions, and have been commonly shown to predict drinking patterns among college students (Derby, 2011;McBride, Barrett, Moore, & Schonfeld, 2014). A few prominent motivations associated with alcohol and other stimulant use include self-medication to deal or cope with unwanted emotional states or symptoms; use of alcohol as a socializing lubricant; and the seeking of stimulants to enhance experiences and sensations by altering perceptions and thoughts in a pleasurable way (Addington & Duchak, 1997;Archie, Boydell, Stasiulis, Volpe, & Gladstone, 2013;Biolcati et al, 2016). Consequently, in this study, we examine the prevalence and correlates of binge drinking, and its association with expectancies of alcohol use, within a sample of patients with FEP enrolled in the Early Psychosis Intervention Programme (EPIP) at the Institute of Mental Health.…”