The Impact of Alcohol-Related Consequences on Alcohol Use Behaviors
Abstract
Objectives: Primary objectives of the present study include (1) exploring the impact of
alcohol-related consequences on current drinking behaviors, and (2) examining
perceptions of consequences and their relationship to current drinking behaviors.
Method: Original data collected through online self-report surveys from 579 participants
(Mage = 28.0 years) was utilized for the present study. Each participant answered brief
questionnaire about their current alcohol use (quantity and frequency) using the AUDIT
(Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) and follow up questions about their prior
alcohol related experiences and subsequent perceptions.
Results: There was a significant association between AUDIT scores and prior
experiences of alcohol-related consequences χ2(2) =135.7, p < .01. A significant
association between AUDIT scores and severity ratings of prior alcohol related
consequences, χ2(2) =12.6, p < .01 was also present. The association between AUDIT
scores and prior experiences of alcohol-related consequences was maintained for non-college, χ2(2) =79.56, p < .01, and the total sample, χ2(2) =80.49, p < .01. An association
was not demonstrated for those currently enrolled in college, χ2(2) =3.02, p =.389. In
regard to the potential effect of age on the major associations demonstrated by this study,
the results indicated that the association between AUDIT scores and prior experiences of
alcohol related consequences was the same for both age groups (e.g., ages 18-25 and ages 26-65), χ2(2) =85.96, p < .01 (ages 18-25), χ2(2) =55.24, p < .01 (ages 26-65). With
regard to severity ratings, there was a significant association between AUDIT scores and
severity ratings existed amongst individuals ages 18-25, χ2(2) =10.35, p < .01, while the
same association did not exist for the 26-65 age group, χ2(2) =4.78, p =.091.
Conclusions: The results suggest that people will continue to drink despite negative or
punishing consequences relating to their drinking patterns. The results also indicate that
people who view alcohol-related consequences to be less severe will demonstrate more
harmful current patterns of alcohol consumption, which aligns with the Social Learning
Theory tenants of alcohol use. Analyses regarding college status enrollment indicate a
need for future research to examine potential differences in drinking behaviors between
college students and their age-matched peers who are not currently enrolled. The analyses
of age suggest that age, and perhaps life experience and maturity, affect perceptions of
aversive drinking occurrences.