Trait and State Hostile Rumination Facilitate Alcohol-Related Aggression

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Objective: This investigation attempted to determine whether trait and state hostile rumination functioned as risk factors for the relation between acute alcohol intoxication and aggression. Method: Participants were 516 social drinkers (252 men and 264 women). Trait hostile rumination was assessed using Caprara's Dissipation-Rumination Scale. Following the consumption of either an alcohol or a placebo beverage, participants were tested on a laboratory task in which electric shocks were received from and administered to a fi ctitious opponent under the guise of a competitive reaction-time task. Aggression was operationalized as the combined mean responses for shock intensity and duration across all trials. In a subset of the sample (n = 320), state hostile rumination was assessed following the aggression task using a self-report measure. Results: As expected, both trait and state measures acted as moderators. Specifi cally, acute alcohol intoxication was more likely to increase aggression in persons with higher trait and state hostile rumination scores compared with their equally intoxicated lower rumination counterparts. Conclusions: This was the fi rst investigation to demonstrate that trait or state rumination signifi cantly heighten the risk of intoxicated aggression. We believe that hostile rumination facilitates intoxicated aggression because ruminators have diffi culty diverting their attention away from anger-provoking stimuli and related thoughts, thus making violent reactions more likely. Clinical and public health interventions would benefi t by developing strategies to distract ruminative attention away from violence-promoting messages, especially when persons are under the infl uence of alcohol. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 72,

The Effects of Alcohol Intoxication and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies on Lab-Based Partner Aggression

“…These findings contrast with past findings that both trait and state rumination to interact with alcohol to predict aggression (Borders, Barnwell, & Earleywine, 2007;Borders & Giancola, 2011). However, it appears no previous studies have examined the effect of the interaction between instructed rumination and alcohol intoxication on aggression.…”

“…Specifically, individuals who self-report ruminating more frequently and report drinking more heavily in the past six months are also more likely to report that they have behaved aggressively after drinking (e.g., pushed or shoved someone, pulled someone's hair) during that period (Borders et al, 2007). Further, results from an experimental study suggest that the relationship between alcohol intoxication and aggression towards a confederate is stronger for individuals who are higher on trait rumination and those who have higher state rumination (Borders & Giancola, 2011).…”

“…In addition, the CN model suggests that this increased negative emotion and enhanced attention towards provoking cues activates emotion-aggression networks. Initial support for these possible interactions comes from findings that both trait and state rumination interact with alcohol to predict aggression (Borders, Barnwell, & Earleywine, 2007;Borders & Giancola, 2011). Specifically, individuals who self-report ruminating more frequently and report drinking more heavily in the past six months are also more likely to report that they have behaved aggressively after drinking (e.g., pushed or shoved someone, pulled someone's hair) during that period (Borders et al, 2007).…”

“…Specifically, individuals who self-report ruminating more frequently and 19 report drinking more heavily in the past six months are also more likely to report that they have behaved aggressively after drinking (e.g., pushed or shoved someone, pulled someone's hair) during that period (Borders et al, 2007). Further, results from an experimental study suggest that the relationship between alcohol intoxication and aggression towards a confederate is stronger for individuals who are higher on trait rumination and those who have higher state rumination (Borders & Giancola, 2011).Taken together, these empirical findings suggest that rumination may increase the chances of aggression and IPA perpetration when one is intoxicated.Reappraisal. In contrast to rumination, reappraisal may mitigate the effect of alcohol on IPA because of its emphasis on interpreting an angering event in a new and less negative way, and its focus on non-provoking cues.…”

Antisocial Personality Disorder and Physical Partner Violence Among Single and Dual Substance-Abusing Couples

“…The psychopharmacological effects of drugs or alcohol are thought to reduce or disinhibit aggression and may directly or indirectly contribute to physical partner violence (Borders and Giancola 2011;Giancola 2000;Pernanen 1991). When high, the user may focus on one aspect of the situation and be unable to consider other aspects, such as their surroundings, social norms, and so forth.…”