Positive Drinking Consequences Research Articles

Psychometric validation of the Positive Drinking Consequences Questionnaire in adolescents.

The Positive Drinking Consequences Questionnaire (PDCQ) was developed to measure positive consequences of alcohol use endorsed by college drinkers. Efforts to assess positive drinking consequences experienced by adolescents have been much more limited. The aim of the present study was to advance the psychometric testing and evaluation of the factor structure of the PDCQ in adolescents. The current sample consisted of 173 adolescents at T1 (mean age = 15 years, range = 13-17; 61% female) who reported alcohol use in the past 12 months. Data were collected at two time points over a 12-month interval in the United States. Confirmatory factor analyses, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and discriminant, concurrent, predictive, and incremental validity were tested. Our analyses supported four factors of positive alcohol-related consequences: sociability, liquid courage, sexual enhancement, and tension reduction. Internal consistency was moderate to high (α = 0.78-0.94, ω = 0.86-0.91 at T1; α = 0.59-0.93, ω = 0.85-0.93 at T2). Test-retest reliability was fair to good (ICC = 0.46-0.55). The PDCQ total and subscale factor scores demonstrated discriminant validity from negative alcohol expectancy. PDCQ total and subscale factor scores were positively associated with current alcohol consumption (ρs = 0.19-0.50 at T1; ρs = 0.17-0.46 at T2), indicating concurrent validity. Predictive validity analyses showed that the overall PDCQ scale score and the sociability subscale positively predicted maximum drinks 1 year later (ρs = 0.18-0.22). However, the sexual enhancement subscale was negatively predictive of typical drinking frequency 1 year later. Finally, the PDCQ showed incremental validity for concurrent alcohol consumption beyond that for alcohol expectancies and drinking motives. The present findings support for the reliability and validity of PDCQ for use in adolescents where it may have utility as an assessment tool for characterizing various aspects of positive drinking.

Motives and Consequences of Alcohol Use in People With Social Anxiety Disorder: A Daily Diary Study

People with social anxiety disorder (SAD) are at increased risk for alcohol-related problems. Most research exploring social anxiety and alcohol use has examined negative drinking consequences, with less consideration of positive consequences—namely positive social experiences—that may reinforce alcohol use. In this daily diary study, we examined how adults diagnosed with SAD (N = 26) and a psychologically healthy control group (N = 28) experienced positive drinking consequences in naturally occurring drinking episodes during the study period. For 14 consecutive days, participants answered questions about alcohol use, motives for drinking, and positive consequences of drinking. On days when participants drank, those with SAD were more likely than healthy controls to perceive a reduction in anxiety, but the two groups did not differ in their likelihood of experiencing positive social drinking consequences. For both groups, on days when they were more motivated to drink to enhance social experiences (affiliation motives) or cope with distress (coping motives), they were more likely to obtain positive consequences from drinking. Compared to controls, participants with SAD endorsed stronger trait and daily coping motives (anxiety-coping, social anxiety-coping, and depression-coping). Results are discussed in the context of reinforcement mechanisms that may maintain social anxiety and alcohol use.

Evaluating the positive drinking consequences questionnaire: Support for a four-factor structure and measurement invariance

ABSTRACTThe 14-item Positive Drinking Consequences Questionnaire (PDCQ) was developed to assess experienced positive drinking consequences. The present study sought to advance the psychometric evaluation of the PDCQ via exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, measurement invariance, criterion-related validity, and internal consistency. Participants were 1,088 traditional-age college students (81% female) who reported drinking in the past month. Exploratory factor analysis supported a four-factor model (i.e. Sociability, Tension Reduction, Liquid Courage, and Sexual Enhancement), and the confirmatory factor analysis indicated the four factors loaded on a higher-order factor (“PDCQ”). Invariance testing supported invariance for the PDCQ across gender. The PDCQ was positively associated with alcohol use and alcohol-related negative consequences, and negatively associated with protective behavioral strategies. Finally, the four factors of the PDCQ were discriminant from positive expectancies. Collectively, positive drinking consequences appear to be more nuanced than originally conceptualized. Evaluation of specific types of positive drinking consequences may assist in more precise prevention and intervention efforts in the future.

When Do Public Health Epilogues Correct the Influence of Alcohol Storylines on Youth? The Interplay of Narrative Transportation and Persuasion Knowledge

Abstract Youth drinking continues to present a major public health problem. Entertainment content that positively depicts alcohol consumption is often implicated as a factor in shaping youths' attitudes and beliefs about drinking alcohol. This research examines whether and under which conditions epilogues can counteract the influence of a television episode featuring positive consequences of drinking. Building on recent research that demonstrates how consumers' persuasion knowledge can increase acceptance of a message, this study finds that persuasion knowledge enhances receptivity to epilogues but only amongst viewers who are highly transported in the story. The research points to a promising approach to remedy the potentially harmful influence of a storyline depicting undesirable behaviors on a vulnerable population.

Are there social benefits? Exploring the role of positive consequences in the relationship between social anxiety symptoms and negative drinking consequences

Research has shown that college students with social anxiety experience more alcohol-related negative consequences, regardless of the amount of alcohol they consume. To better understand this relationship, it is important to examine social anxiety as a multidimensional construct, as well as explore the positive outcomes these students experience from drinking. The current study sought to examine the impact of positive drinking consequences on the relationship between behavioral (i.e. interaction and performance-type) and cognitive (i.e. fear of negative evaluation) social anxiety symptoms and alcohol-related negative consequences. Participants were 544 traditional age college students who reported consuming alcohol in the past month and completed measures of social anxiety symptoms, positive drinking consequences, and alcohol-related negative consequences. Positive drinking consequences moderated the relationship between social anxiety and alcohol-related negative consequences, such that students with more fear of negative evaluation and that experienced more positive drinking consequences reported more negative drinking consequences. Future directions and implications are discussed.

Hypothetical evaluations of positive and negative alcohol consequences in adolescents across various levels of drinking experience.

Research supports the importance of the subjective evaluation of alcohol-related consequences, and theory suggests that these evaluations may depend on one's prior experience. The goal of the present study was to understand how adolescents subjectively evaluate the potential negative and positive consequences of drinking and to test the hypothesis that evaluations differ as a function of personal experience with alcohol use and consequences. Participants were 697 adolescents (55% female) who completed online surveys assessing lifetime drinking experience and hypothetical evaluations of 13 negative and 9 positive consequences. Never having consumed a full drink of alcohol (vs. having consumed a full drink, but not having negative consequences) was significantly associated with higher mean negative evaluations and lower mean positive evaluations. Those who had a full drink (vs. those who had not) rated close to half of the negative consequence items as significantly less bothersome, and all of the positive consequences as significantly more enjoyable. However, there was little evidence in this sample that evaluations differ between drinkers with and without experience with negative consequences. Overall, findings suggest that youth who have experience with simply consuming alcohol may place more value on the positive and less value on some of the negative consequences of drinking, which has the potential to impact decisions to continue to drink. Longitudinal research uncovering the direction of evaluation-experience effects and mechanisms other than consequence experience, are essential next steps. (PsycINFO Database Record

Examining the role of positive drinking consequences on the relationship between social anxiety and negative drinking consequences

ABSTRACTPositive drinking consequences are gaining more attention in the college student drinking literature due to their degree of saliency in predicting hazardous drinking. However, the research is limited on the relationship between psychological constructs, such as social anxiety, and positive drinking consequences. The current study explored the moderating role of positive drinking consequences on the relationship between social anxiety and negative drinking consequences in a sample of hazardous drinking college students. A sample of 222 hazardous drinking undergraduate students completed measures of social anxiety and positive and negative drinking consequences. As predicted, social anxiety and positive consequences were positively related to negative consequences. Contrary to our predictions, interaction results revealed that students with more social anxiety reported more negative consequences when they reported fewer rather than more positive consequences. Thus, students with more social anxiety may not obtain the social benefits from drinking, which appears to be contributing to their experience of negative drinking consequences. Briefly, alcohol intervention clinicians should consider how to incorporate discussions of positive drinking consequences for these students to facilitate ways to foster social engagement while minimizing alcohol-related harm.

Psychometric validation of measures of alcohol expectancies, retrospective subjective response, and positive drinking consequences for use with adolescents

The Anticipated Effects of Alcohol Scale (AEAS), the Subjective Effects of Alcohol Scale, and the Positive Drinking Consequences Questionnaire (PDCQ) are psychometrically sound measures of alcohol expectancies (expectancies), subjective response to alcohol, and positive drinking consequences, respectively, for use with adults. Prior research using these measures suggests that expectancies, subjective response, and positive drinking consequences are related yet distinct determinants of drinking. The current study presents psychometric evaluations of these measures for use with adolescents including confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) of the previously identified latent structures, internal consistency, and test-criterion relationships. Legally, alcohol cannot be administered to adolescents, so we assessed retrospective subjective response (during the first drinking episode ever [SEAS First] and the most recent drinking episode [SEAS Recent]). The sample comprised 248 Connecticut high school students (53.6% male; mean age 16.50 [1.19] years; 71.4% White) who completed an anonymous survey. CFA confirmed the latent factor structures for each measure. The AEAS, SEAS First, SEAS Recent and the PDCQ were internally consistent (mean α AEAS=0.83; SEAS First=0.88; SEAS Recent=0.89, PDCQ=0.87). AEAS subscales evidenced moderate overlap with corresponding SEAS First subscales (mean=0.36) and SEAS Recent subscales (mean=0.46) and modest overlap with the PDCQ (mean=0.17). Expectancies, subjective response, and positive drinking consequences also accounted for significant variance in monthly drinking, lifetime maximum number of drinks consumed, and alcohol-related problems. In sum, the AEAS, the retrospective SEAS, and the PDCQ are psychometrically sound measures for use with adolescents.

Positive Drinking Consequences Are Associated With Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Related Problems Among Veterans Seeking Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder

Background: Military service is associated with increased rates of heavy drinking. Widely used clinical practices (e.g., motivational interviewing) indicate that addressing both negative and positive drinking consequences is essential to effective treatment. However, research on effectively assessing positive drinking consequences in a clinical population is absent. Aims: The current study (1) evaluated the utility of the Positive Drinking Consequences Questionnaire (PDCQ), a measure previously validated in an undergraduate sample, for use with treatment-seeking veterans, and (2) evaluated relationships between positive drinking consequences and alcohol expectancies, pre-treatment alcohol use, and alcohol-related problems. Method: Ninety-seven veterans seeking treatment for alcohol problems completed an anonymous survey (97.9% male; mean age = 49.76[11.40], 67.0% Caucasian). Results: The PDCQ evidenced a single factor latent structure and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .90). Positive drinking consequences and expectancies were related yet distinct constructs. After controlling for demographic factors, experiencing more positive drinking consequences at program intake was associated with heavier pretreatment drinking (ηp2 = .10, p = .003) and alcohol-related problems (ηp2 = .18, p < .001). Further, PDCQ scores evidenced incremental validity in accounting for pretreatment alcohol use (ηp2 = .12, p = .002) and alcohol-related problems (ηp2 = .11, p = .003) when expectancies also were included in the model. Conclusion: Positive drinking consequences are assessed reliably by the PDCQ in a clinical sample and appear to play an important role in the drinking behavior of veterans seeking alcohol treatment.

Short-Term Prospective Effects of Impulsivity on Binge Drinking: Mediation by Positive and Negative Drinking Consequences

. Objective: Although the association of impulsivity with diverse alcohol outcomes has been documented, the mechanisms by which impulsivity predicts drinking over time remain to be fully characterized. The authors examined whether positive drinking consequences, but not negative drinking consequences, mediated the association between impulsivity and subsequent binge drinking, over and above prior binge drinking. Participants: Participants were 171 college students. Methods: Participants completed 2 online surveys with an average interval of 68 days between assessments at Time 1 (September to October 2012) and Time 2 (November to December 2012). Results: Path analysis showed that, among 5 facets of impulsivity, the effect of sensation seeking on subsequent binge drinking was completely mediated by prior positive consequences. No mediating effects of negative consequences were found. Conclusions: Prior experience of positive drinking consequences may serve as one of the risk pathways by which sensation seeking shapes binge drinking over time. Personalized intervention strategies may utilize information about students’ impulsivity facets to address their binge drinking and alcohol-related consequences.

A field investigation of the effects of drinking consequences on young adults' readiness to change

In the research on readiness to change (RTC) one's drinking, there has been little assessment of the influence of positive drinking consequences or other potential moderating variables. To address these limitations, we examined how young adults' RTC their alcohol consumption shortly following a drinking episode was associated with self-reported drinking consequences, as well as any potential moderating effects of gender and Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC). In street interviews outside bars, 238 young adults were administered questionnaires about their drinking, including a measure examining participants' current readiness to reduce their alcohol consumption. Within 72h of their drinking episode, 67 participants (36 males; entire sample Mage=20.90years, Range=18–26years) completed an online survey, once again measuring RTC as well as positive and negative drinking consequences. Consistent with our hypothesis, positive drinking consequences were negatively associated with participants' changes in RTC. Additionally, a three-way interaction of gender×BrAC×positive drinking consequences on RTC showed that females with low BrACs reported higher RTC scores when they had endorsed fewer positive drinking consequences. Interestingly, negative drinking consequences alone did not impact individuals' RTC. Because positive drinking consequences were a significantly better predictor of RTC than were negative drinking consequences, researchers are advised to examine both types of consequences in future studies. Finally, effective alcohol education programs for those who have never consumed alcohol as well as social drinkers should include consideration of the experience of positive outcomes.

Short-term prospective influences of positive drinking consequences on heavy drinking.

Recent literature has indicated the importance of positive psychosocial drinking consequences in college drinking. However, it has not yet been characterized whether prior experiences of positive drinking consequences would predict subsequent drinking, over and above the anticipation of positive outcomes from drinking (i.e., positive alcohol expectancies). Data were drawn from a prospective study in which 256 college students (60% female, 69% White, mean age = 18.90 years [SD = 1.06]) completed one or two online surveys (with an average interval of 33 days [SD = 5.66] between the two surveys). The results of a structural equation model showed reciprocal influences between heavy drinking and positive drinking consequences over time after accounting for demographics, alcohol expectancies, and negative drinking consequences. Experiences of positive consequences at Time 1 significantly predicted heavy drinking at Time 2, and heavy drinking at Time 1 significantly predicted experiences of positive consequences at Time 2. After accounting for the covariates in the model, alcohol expectancies and negative drinking consequences at Time 1 did not predict heavy drinking at Time 2. These findings suggest that actual experiences of positive outcomes from drinking are associated with subsequent heavy drinking, over and above the influence of the anticipation of positive outcomes. The implications of the findings were discussed in terms of the role of positive drinking consequences within a nomological network of correlates and determinants of drinking behavior.

Alcohol drinking among college students: college responsibility for personal troubles

BackgroundOne young adult in two has entered university education in Western countries. Many of these young students will be exposed, during this transitional period, to substantial changes in living arrangements, socialisation groups, and social activities. This kind of transition is often associated with risky behaviour such as excessive alcohol consumption. So far, however, there is little evidence about the social determinants of alcohol consumption among college students. We set out to explore how college environmental factors shape college students' drinking behaviour.MethodsIn May 2010 a web questionnaire was sent to all bachelor and master students registered with an important Belgian university; 7,015 students participated (participation = 39%). The survey looked at drinking behaviour, social involvement, college environmental factors, drinking norms, and positive drinking consequences.ResultsOn average each student had 1.7 drinks a day and 2.8 episodes of abusive drinking a month. We found that the more a student was exposed to college environmental factors, the greater the risk of heavy, frequent, and abusive drinking. Alcohol consumption increased for students living on campus, living in a dormitory with a higher number of room-mates, and having been in the University for a long spell. Most such environmental factors were explained by social involvement, such as participation to the student folklore, pre-partying, and normative expectations.ConclusionsEducational and college authorities need to acknowledge universities’ responsibility in relation to their students’ drinking behaviour and to commit themselves to support an environment of responsible drinking.

Perceived Positive Reinforcements Experienced by College Students When Combining Alcohol and Energy Drinks

Combining alcohol with energy drinks has become a common practice among college students. Although much research has focused on expectancies and/or negative consequences of such use, little has examined possible consequences. Because positive consequences may be more predominant than negative consequences when examining the immediate positive reinforcement of drinking behaviors, the role such reinforcement plays in the formation of alcohol abuse and dependence if unknown. Therefore the purpose of this study was to (1) To explore perceived positive reinforcements (PPRs) experienced by drinkers when consuming alcohol-only and combining alcohol with energy drinks and (2) Investigate relationship between PPRs and quantity of drinks. Methods: A convenience sample of 371, 18-24 year old college students completed an online survey containing demographic questions, quantity/frequency index, and the Positive drinking consequences questionnaire for alcoholonly and combined use. Results: Combined Users (CUs) reported significantly more PPR(s) than alcohol-only users (AOUs), but reported more PPRs when consuming alcohol-only. PPR(s) did not significantly increase with greater quantities of alcohol in AOUs, but did increase among CUs when consuming alcohol-only and combined drinks. Conclusions: CU derived significantly more PPR(s) than AOUs, suggesting they hold expectancies and experience outcomes different from those of AOUs. Thus CUs may represent a special population at higher risk for alcohol abuse and dependence. Incorporating PPR(s) into current alcohol treatment and prevention practices represents an unexplored avenue with great potential to transform the college drinking culture.

Urge-specific and lifestyle coping strategies of alcoholics: Relationships of specific strategies to treatment outcome

BackgroundThe present study examined the efficacy of various specific lifestyle and situation-specific coping skills by determining the relationship of each of these strategies to drinking outcomes. MethodsPatients with alcohol dependence in intensive day treatment (n=165) were participating in a randomized trial of naltrexone versus placebo and adjunctive communication and coping skills training or a control treatment. The alcohol version of the Urge-Specific Strategies (USS) questionnaire and the General Strategies for Alcoholics (GSA) were administered early in treatment. The USS assesses 16 situation-specific strategies taught in cue exposure treatment, communication skills training, or relaxation/meditation training to cope with experiencing an urge to drink (e.g., think of positive and negative consequences of drinking, use mastery messages, engage in an alternative behavior); the 21-item GSA assesses lifestyle change strategies taught in communication skills training and in the general treatment program (e.g., keep busy, exercise regularly, attend 12-Step meetings, avoid high-risk situations). Alcohol use and frequency of use of the skills were assessed 6 and 12 months following treatment. ResultsMany specific behavioral and cognitive coping strategies were significantly related to drinking outcomes, including 13 urge-specific and 18 general lifestyle strategies, while other strategies were unrelated. ConclusionsSince some strategies taught in treatment are more effective in preventing relapse than others; treatment may be improved by focusing on these specific strategies. Since results may be limited to this population, replication is needed in more diverse settings and without medication.

Positive drinking consequences among hazardous drinking college students

Negative drinking consequences in college students have been well studied, but emerging evidence points to a role for positive drinking consequences in predicting alcohol related problems. Positive drinking consequences appear to be distinct from other drinking constructs such as drinking expectancies and drinking motives. However, no work has evaluated the role of positive drinking consequences in hazardous drinking college students, a population at high risk for alcohol related problems. The goal of the current study was to examine the effect of positive drinking consequences on problem drinking and alcohol problem recognition in a hazardous drinking college sample. Participants (N=222) were hazardous drinking undergraduate students completing a battery of self-report measures about alcohol use. Findings indicated that positive drinking consequences predicted problem drinking above and beyond other related constructs including positive drinking motives (i.e. enhancement and social). However, positive drinking consequences did not appear to play a significant role in alcohol problem recognition. Future research directions and implications for interventions with hazardous drinking college students are discussed.

Short-term changes in plans to drink and importance of positive and negative alcohol consequences

Experienced consequences predicted short-term changes in alcohol use plans and perceptions of the importance of alcohol-related consequences. Participants were 176 traditionally aged first-year university students who completed a 10-week telephone diary study (total weeks=1735). In multi-level models, men and students who experienced more positive and negative consequences on average planned to drink more and rated avoiding negative consequences as less important. Students who experienced more positive consequences rated them as more important (between-person analyses). Following weeks of experiencing relatively more positive drinking consequences, students planned to drink more and rated experiencing positive consequences as more important for the subsequent week (within-person analyses). Challenges for intervening in the ongoing formation of anticipatory cognitions regarding alcohol use are discussed.

The Positive Drinking Consequences Questionnaire (PDCQ): Validation of a new assessment tool

Expected and experienced negative consequences and expected positive consequences of alcohol use have been widely studied, while little attention has been given to experienced positive drinking consequences. Although existing studies suggest that positive consequences may be important [Park, C.L. (2004). Positive and negative consequences of alcohol consumption in college students. Addictive Behaviors, 29, 311–321.; Park, C.L. & Grant, C. (2005). Determinants of positive and negative consequences of alcohol consumption in college students: Alcohol use, gender, and psychological characteristics. Addictive Behaviors, 30, 755–765.], it is not clear if they are distinct from expected positive outcomes or uniquely associated with drinking behavior. The primary goal of the current study was to develop a measure that directly assessed specific, real life drinking consequences rather than relying on general past tense derivations (“I forgot my worries”) of expectancy items. Such a measure is necessary to determine whether or not positive consequences are distinct from positive expectancies and to assess the unique contribution of positive drinking consequences to drinking behavior. Participants were 423 undergraduate students who completed an online survey; 277 drinkers (56.5% women) completed all data necessary for analyses. Principal components analysis of the Positive Drinking Consequences Questionnaire (PDCQ) identified a single-factor structure with good internal and split-half reliability. The PDCQ also demonstrated discriminant validity relative to a positive expectancy measure and incremental validity in relation to drinking behavior. Although additional studies with heavier drinking populations are needed, the PDCQ may ultimately serve as a valuable research and clinical assessment tool.

Attitudinal and normative predictors of alcohol use by older adolescents and young adults.

A model of alcohol use based on the theory of planned behavior, expectancy theory, and the developmental literature on the influence of parents and peers was examined with 87 eleventh grade students, 105 college freshmen, and 107 college juniors. Specifically, the influence of attitudes about the positive and negative consequences of drinking, perceived parental and peer norms about alcohol consumption, and perceived control over drinking predicted self-reported alcohol use. The results suggest that, during adolescence, decisions to consume alcohol are rational, based on the consideration of the positive consequences of alcohol use and perceptions of control over drinking; however, the negative consequences of alcohol use are discounted. While perceived peer norms predicted alcohol consumption in all three age groups, the influence of perceived parental norms varied such that they predicted alcohol use only among the college juniors. Implications and avenues for future research are discussed.

Relationships of drinking behaviour, gender and age with reported negative and positive experiences related to drinking.

To assess associations between drinking behaviour, gender and age with reported experiences related to drinking. Cross-sectional survey. Interviews were performed in 1992 with a representative sample of the Finnish population between 15 and 69 years of age (N = 3446). Annual intake of alcohol, frequency of drunkenness, and 14 negative and eight positive reported experiences related to drinking. Logistic regression models showed that overall intake and frequency of drunkenness were independently associated with almost all reported positive and negative consequences of drinking. Women more commonly reported that drinking had helped them to sort out interpersonal problems at home or in the work-place, to feel more optimistic about life, and to express their feelings. Men more commonly reported that drinking had helped them to be funnier and wittier and to get closer to the opposite sex. Drunken driving was markedly male behaviour, but women more commonly reported other types of reckless behaviour and adverse consequences of drinking. However, men more commonly said they were criticized by family for their drinking. With the exception of health problems, both positive and negative consequences of alcohol were more common among younger drinkers. Once overall intake and frequency of drunkenness were controlled for, significant differences between men's and women's perceptions of the costs and benefits of alcohol consumption emerged. Men tended to perceive more hedonic benefits while women perceived more functional benefits. Women reported behaving more recklessly in drinking situations. In light of the results, women were not under selective social control.