The relationships between alcohol-aggression proneness, general alcohol expectancies, hazardous drinking, and alcohol-related violence in adult male prisoners

Abstract

The relationships between alcohol-aggression proneness, general alcohol outcome expectancies, hazardous drinking, and alcohol-related violence were explored in a sample of violent offenders. The hypothesized model was that alcohol expectancies and hazardous drinking would mediate the relationship between proneness to alcohol-related aggression and alcohol-related violence. Additionally, expectancies would predict drinking. Ninety-eight male prisoners were recruited, all serving sentences for violent offences of which 21 were not alcohol-related and 77 were alcohol-related. Measures were the Alcohol-Related Aggression Questionnaire (ARAQ), the Drinking Expectancy Questionnaire (DEQ), and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). The model was empirically supported. The ARAQ, the DEQ, specifically the DEQ-Increased Confidence (DEQ-IC) scale, and the AUDIT all predict offence type. The DEQ, particularly the DEQ-IC scale, and the AUDIT, mediate the relationship between the ARAQ and offence type. The DEQ total score predicted the AUDIT score. The inclusion of all three variables (ARAQ, DEQ-IC, and AUDIT) in the model most accurately classified the participants. Implications for treatment are discussed.