Alcohol Consumption as a Response to Anxiety Level and Alcohol Expectancy
Abstract
The Tension Reduction Hypothesis is that people drink alcohol for anxiety relief. Research has shown that individuals expect alcohol to affect them in specific ways. The purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between self-reports of trait anxiety levels, expectations that alcohol will reduce stress, and level of alcohol consumption. Data from the Trait Scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire, and the Khavari Alcohol Test were analyzed. The convenience sample consisted of 85 federal employees. The majority were aged 30 to 49 years (77.4%), Caucasian (83%), and married (71%). No statistically significant correlations were found between self-reports of trait anxiety and alcohol consumption, between alcohol expectancy and alcohol consumption, or between alcohol expectancy and alcohol consumption when trait anxiety and alcohol consumption were negatively correlated. It is suggested that in future studies populations having broader socioeconomic and age ranges be investigated.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA239271
Entities
People
- Robert E. Steed
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology