Browsing by Author "Neighbors, Clayton"

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A longitudinal examination of the associations between shyness, drinking motives, alcohol use, and alcohol-related problems
(Alcoholism: Clinical, and Experimental Research, 2015-09) Young, Chelsie M.; DiBello, Angelo M.; Traylor, Zachary K.; Zvolensky, Michael J.; Neighbors, Clayton
Background: The current study evaluated the roles of drinking motives and shyness in predicting problem alcohol use over two years. Methods: First-year college student drinkers (N=818) completed assessments of alcohol use and related problems, shyness, and drinking motives every six months over a two year period. Results: Generalized linear mixed models indicated that shyness was associated with less drinking, but more alcohol-related problems. Further, shyness was associated with coping, conformity, and enhancement drinking motives, but was not associated with social drinking motives. However, when examining coping motives, moderation analyses revealed that social drinking motives were more strongly associated with coping motives among individuals higher in shyness. In addition, coping, conformity, and enhancement motives, but not social motives, mediated associations between shyness and alcohol-related problems over time. Finally, coping motives mediated the association between the interaction of shyness and social motives and alcohol-related problems. Conclusions: Together, the results suggest that shy individuals may drink to reduce negative affect, increase positive affect, and fit in with others in social situations, which may then contribute to greater risk for subsequent alcohol-related problems.
A multisite randomized trial of normative feedback for heavy drinking: Social comparison versus social comparison plus correction of normative misperceptions
(Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2016-03) Neighbors, Clayton; Lewis, Melissa A.; LaBrie, Joseph W.; DiBello, Angelo M.; Young, Chelsie M.; Rinker, Dipali; Litt, Dana M.; Rodriguez, Lindsey M.; Knee, C. Raymond; Hamor, Ezekiel; Jerabeck, Jessica M.; Larimer, Mary E.
Objective: Given widespread alcohol misuse among college students, numerous intervention programs have been developed, including personalized normative feedback (PNF). Most research evaluating PNF assumes that presenting one's own perceived norms is necessary to correct normative misperceptions and thereby reduce drinking. Alternatively, simply providing social comparison information showing that one drinks more than others may be sufficient. The present study evaluated the efficacy of full PNF (one's own drinking, campus drinking rates, and perceived norms) and a partial personalized social comparison feedback (PSCF; one's own drinking and campus drinking rates) in a randomized trial among heavy-drinking college students. Method: Participants included 623 heavy-drinking students from three universities. Assessments occurred at baseline and three- and six-months post-baseline. Results: Primary analyses examined differences across four drinking outcomes (drinks per week, total drinks past month, frequency of past month drinking, and negative alcohol-related consequences) at three- and six-month follow-ups controlling for the baseline variable. Results revealed significant reductions across all alcohol consumption outcomes at three months in both intervention conditions compared to attention-control. Mediation analyses demonstrated significant indirect effects of the intervention on six-month drinking through changes in perceived norms at three months. Moreover, evidence emerged for changes in drinking at three months as a mediator of the association between PSCF and six-month perceived norms. Conclusions: The present research suggests PNF may not require explicit consideration of one's perceived norms in order to be effective and that direct social comparison provides an alternative theoretical mechanism for PNF efficacy.
A randomized controlled trial of a web-based, personalized normative feedback alcohol intervention for young-adult veterans
(Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 03/13/17) Pedersen, Eric R.; Parast, Layla; Marshall, Grant N.; Schell, Terry L.; Neighbors, Clayton
Objective: Young adult American veterans are at-risk for problematic alcohol use. However, they are unlikely to seek care and may drop out from lengthy multicomponent treatments when they do get care. This randomized controlled trial tested a very brief alcohol intervention delivered over the Internet to reach the population of young adult veterans to help reduce their drinking. Method: Veterans (N=784) were recruited from Facebook and randomized to either a control condition or a personalized normative feedback (PNF) intervention seeking to correct drinking perceptions of gender-specific veteran peers. Results: At immediate post-intervention, PNF participants reported greater reductions in their perceptions of peer drinking and in intentions to drink over the next month compared to control participants. At one-month follow-up, PNF participants reduced their drinking behavior and consequences to a significantly greater extent than controls. Specifically, PNF participants drank 3.4 fewer drinks per week, consumed 0.4 fewer drinks per occasion, binge drank on 1.0 fewer days, and experienced about 1.0 fewer consequences than control participants in the month after the intervention. Intervention effects for drinks per occasion were most pronounced among more problematic drinkers. Changes in perceived norms from baseline to one-month follow-up mediated intervention efficacy. Conclusions: Though effects were assessed after only one-month, findings have potential to inform broader, population-level programs designed for young veterans to prevent escalation of drinking and development of long-term alcohol problems. Given the simplicity of the PNF approach and ease of administration, this intervention has the potential for a substantial impact on public health.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Event Specific Prevention Strategies for Reducing Problematic Drinking Associated with 21st Birthday Celebrations
(Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2012) Neighbors, Clayton; Lee, Christine M.; Atkins, David C.; Lewis, Melissa A.; Kaysen, Debra; Mittmann, Angela; Fossos, Nicole; Geisner, Irene M.; Zheng, Cheng; Larimer, Mary E.
Objective: While research has documented heavy drinking practices and associated negative consequences of college students turning 21, few studies have examined prevention efforts aimed to reduce high-risk drinking during 21st birthday celebrations. The present study evaluated the comparative efficacy of a general prevention effort (i.e., BASICS) and event specific prevention in reducing 21st birthday drinking and related negative consequences. Furthermore, this study evaluated inclusion of peers in interventions and mode of intervention delivery (i.e., in-person vs. web). Method: Participants included 599 college students (46% male) who intended to consume at least five/four drinks (men/women respectively) on their 21st birthday. After completing a screening/baseline assessment approximately one week before turning 21, participants were randomly assigned to one of six conditions: 21st birthday in-person BASICS, 21st birthday web BASICS, 21st birthday in-person BASICS plus friend intervention, 21st birthday web BASICS plus friend intervention, BASICS, or an attention control. A follow-up assessment was completed approximately one week after students’ birthdays. Results: Results indicated a significant intervention effect for BASICS in reducing blood alcohol content reached and number of negative consequences experienced. All three in-person interventions reduced negative consequences experienced. Results for the web-based interventions varied by drinking outcome and whether or not a friend was included. Conclusions: Overall, results provide support for both general intervention and ESP approaches across modalities for reducing extreme drinking and negative consequences associated with turning 21. These results suggest there are several promising options for campuses seeking to reduce both use and consequences associated with 21st birthday celebrations.
A review of decisional balance research and directions for brief alcohol intervention among college students
(OA Alcohol, 2013-05) Foster, Dawn W.; Neighbors, Clayton
This paper provides a review of decisional balance (DB) and proposes strategies for improving DB measurement with respect to alcohol interventions for college students. Although existing alcohol interventions for college drinking are widely available, many undergraduates do not perceive any need to change their drinking. Intervention strategies that encourage students to consciously consider reasons for changing problem behaviors and resolve ambivalence may provide unique benefit. The DB and alcohol literature suggest; 1) a relationship exists between DB and motivation to change (MTC); 2) the decisional balance proportion (DBP) represents a promising new way to conceptualize MTC; and 3) while the DBP is a step forward in DB measurement, it can be improved. Alternative strategies proposed for improving the DBP include; 1) a weighted DBP, which may increase predictive ability and provide a closer approximation of an individual's MTC compared to the original DBP; 2) a coded DBP, which may allow for identification of common reasons why college students choose to drink or not drink; and 3) personalized DBP feedback, which may increase intervention efficacy by further highlighting the discrepancy between behaviors and goals. These strategies can be applied separately or in conjunction, and represent a potentially promising new avenue for DB research.
A road paved with safe intentions: Increasing intentions to use alcohol protective behavioral strategies via Deviance Regulation Theory
(Health Psychology, 2016-06) Dvorak, Robert D.; Pearson, Matthew R.; Neighbors, Clayton; Martens, Matthew P.; Stevenson, Brittany L.; Kuvaas, Nicholas J.
OBJECTIVE: Drinking remains a problem across college campuses. Changing this behavior requires interventions that can be easily and widely dispersed. Several theories place intentions as a proximal predictor of behavior change. The current study examines the effects of a web-based Deviance Regulation Theory (DRT) intervention on (1) intentions to use alcohol protective behavior strategies (PBS) and (2) associations between these intentions and actual behavior. METHODS: Participants (n = 76) completed a six-week, web-based, study examining drinking behaviors. Participants were randomly assigned to receive a positive frame about individuals who use PBS or a negative frame about individuals who do not. They also reported normative perceptions of PBS use among college students. They subsequently logged onto a secure server each week to report on alcohol involvement, use of three types of PBS (Manner of Drinking, Stopping/Limiting, and Serious Harm Reduction), and intentions to use these PBS the following week. RESULTS: Consistent with DRT, negative frames resulted in higher PBS use intentions if individuals held high normative beliefs about PBS use. Positive frames resulted in higher Manner of Drinking PBS use intentions if individuals held low normative beliefs about PBS use, but only if individuals endorsed a high belief in the frame. In addition, there was a DRT consistent increase in intention-action associations, but only for Stopping/Limiting PBS. DISCUSSION: A brief web-based DRT intervention was effective at increasing PBS intentions and increasing PBS intention-action associations. DRT may provide a mechanism to additively or synergistically improve other web-based interventions for college drinking.
A TEST OF WHETHER DIFFICULTIES IN EMOTION REGULATION EXPLAIN THE RELATION OF ATTACHMENT WITH RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIORS, ATTITUDES, AND SELF-EFFICACY
(2015-05) Jardin, Charles; Sharp, Carla; Zvolensky, Michael J.; Neighbors, Clayton; Sales, Jessica M.
The incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) has increased among adolescents and young adults due to the prevalence of risky sexual behaviors. Adolescents with severe psychopathology may be particularly at risk. Interventions based on decision-making models of risky sexual behaviors have shown inconsistent results. Recent research emphasis on attachment processes and difficulties in emotion regulation suggests these factors may influence risky sexual behaviors, yet the underlying mechanism connecting these variables has not been explored. The primary aim of the present study was to examine whether lower levels of difficulties in emotion regulation would explain the relation of greater attachment security to mother, father, and peers, independently, with fewer risky sexual behaviors among inpatient adolescents. A secondary aim was to examine whether difficulties in emotion regulation explained the relation of attachment with sexual attitudes and self-efficacy. Results showed that attachment to mother and to peers, but not attachment to father, exerted an indirect effect, via difficulties in emotion regulation, on number of sexual partners and alcohol/substance use concurrent with sex. However, the observed indirect effect showed that greater attachment security associated with more sexual partners and alcohol/substance use concurrent with sex. Greater attachment security to mother indirectly associated with greater self-efficacy to negotiate condom use via lower levels of difficulties in emotion regulation. However, no indirect effect was observed upon sexual attitudes or self-efficacy to refuse sex. Findings reflect the development of normative sexual behavior among adolescents, with greater attachment security facilitating fewer difficulties in emotion regulation and more sexual exploration. More research is needed to clarify the functions of attachment and emotion regulation in normative sexual development.
A tutorial on count regression and zero-altered count models for longitudinal substance use data
(Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 2013-03) Atkins, David C.; Baldwin, Scott A.; Zheng, Cheng; Gallop, Roget J.; Neighbors, Clayton
Critical research questions in the study of addictive behaviors concern how these behaviors change over time: either as the result of intervention or in naturalistic settings. The combination of count outcomes that are often strongly skewed with many zeroes (e.g., days using, number of total drinks, number of drinking consequences) with repeated assessments (e.g., longitudinal follow-up after intervention or daily diary data) present challenges for data analyses. The current article provides a tutorial on methods for analyzing longitudinal substance use data, focusing on Poisson, zero-inflated, and hurdle mixed models, which are types of hierarchical or multilevel models. Two example datasets are used throughout, focusing on drinking-related consequences following an intervention and daily drinking over the past 30 days, respectively. Both datasets as well as R, SAS, Mplus, Stata, and SPSS code showing how to fit the models are available on a supplemental website.
Adolescent Personality Moderates the Testosterone-Externalizing Association
(2014-05) Reardon, Kathleen Wade; Tackett, Jennifer L.; Sharp, Carla; Neighbors, Clayton
In considering moderating factors of the complex association between testosterone, a steroid hormone, and externalizing behavior, previous research has mainly focused on environmental influences, including interpersonal relationships. I tested the hypothesis that self-regulatory personality, an individual-level variable that is relevant for other hormone-behavior associations, moderates the testosterone-externalizing behavior association in adolescence. I examined evidence for this moderation across age and subfactors of externalizing behavior (aggression and rule-breaking). Parents reported on their child’s personality and psychopathology for a sample of 106 adolescents (56 % female) aged 13-18 (M = 16.01 years, SD = 1.29 years). Adolescent testosterone levels were measured via passive drool samples. As hypothesized, both trait Agreeableness and Conscientiousness moderated the testosterone-externalizing problem relationships. Specifically, high testosterone predicted higher levels of Externalizing Behaviors, but only for adolescents low in Agreeableness and Conscientiousness. In addition, self-regulatory personality acted as both a risk and a resiliency factor, with high levels of Conscientiousness—in combination with high testosterone—predicting lower than average levels of rule-breaking. These findings are similar to previously reported results regarding interpersonal relationships, which raises the question of how environmental and endogenous factors might jointly interact with high testosterone. Additionally, this work highlights the relevance of including personality moderators in future research on hormone-behavior associations.
Alcohol evaluations and acceptability: Examining descriptive and injunctive norms among heavy drinkers
(Addictive Behaviors, 2015-03) Foster, Dawn W.; Neighbors, Clayton; Krieger, Heather
Objectives: This study assessed descriptive and injunctive norms, evaluations of alcohol consequences, and acceptability of drinking. Methods: Participants were 248 heavy-drinking undergraduates (81.05% female; Mage = 23.45). Results: Stronger perceptions of descriptive and injunctive norms for drinking and more positive evaluations of alcohol consequences were positively associated with drinking and the number of drinks considered acceptable. Descriptive and injunctive norms interacted, indicating that injunctive norms were linked with number of acceptable drinks among those with higher descriptive norms. Descriptive norms and evaluations of consequences interacted, indicating that descriptive norms were positively linked with number of acceptable drinks among those with negative evaluations of consequences; however, among those with positive evaluations of consequences, descriptive norms were negatively associated with number of acceptable drinks. Injunctive norms and evaluations of consequences interacted, indicating that injunctive norms were positively associated with number of acceptable drinks, particularly among those with positive evaluations of consequences. A three-way interaction emerged between injunctive and descriptive norms and evaluations of consequences, suggesting that injunctive norms and the number of acceptable drinks were positively associated more strongly among those with negative versus positive evaluations of consequences. Those with higher acceptable drinks also had positive evaluations of consequences and were high in injunctive norms. Conclusions: Findings supported hypotheses that norms and evaluations of alcohol consequences would interact with respect to drinking and acceptance of drinking. These examinations have practical utility and may inform development and implementation of interventions and programs targeting alcohol misuse among heavy drinking undergraduates.
An Evaluation of the Number of Response Options for Scales in Psychology
(2020-04) Borjas, Maria
Self-report scales are used widely in the field of psychology. These scales tend to widely differ on scale format for many reasons including consistency, time issues, and convenience. Previous studies have found that scale format has an effect on response variance, and reliability, among other psychometric properties. However, these findings have been mixed. The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of number of response options on response patterns and internal consistency. We used a 5- and 7-point scale of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem measure. Undergraduate college students were administered this scale with either 5 or 7 response options. We found that frequency and response patterns did not differ between the 2 scales, but differences in response patterns per item were present. There were also mean differences between scales, although these effects were small. The number of response options did not affect reliability. Using descriptive statistics and t-tests, differences were not detected between responses to items presented with the 5- and 7-point response scales. Further research assessing more than one measure and comparing even, and odd numbered scales is needed to better understand the effects of number of response options on response patterns.
An examination of college student activities and attentiveness during a web-delivered personalized normative feedback intervention
(Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 2015-03) Lewis, Melissa A.; Neighbors, Clayton
Both heavy drinking and related risky sexual behavior among college students are common and are often associated with a number of negative consequences. A previously reported randomized controlled trial showed that a brief personalized normative feedback (PNF) intervention reduced the alcohol consumption and alcohol-related risky sexual behavior of heavy drinking, sexually active college students (Lewis et al., in press). For the present study, we examined what activities students were engaged in when viewing the feedback as well as who they were with and where they were when receiving the intervention. Furthermore, we conducted supplemental analyses with perceived attentiveness as a hypothesized predictor of change using the same sample (N = 480). Findings indicated that most students were engaged in activities when viewing the feedback and that most students viewed the feedback alone and at home. Furthermore, results revealed PNF to be most effective in reducing drinks per week among participants who reported greater attention. Clinical implications and suggestions for additional research examining how attentiveness can be increased during web-based interventions are discussed.
An Exploratory Study of Teen Dating Violence in Sexual Minority Youth
(2015-05) Reuter, Tyson R.; Sharp, Carla; Walker, Rheeda L.; Neighbors, Clayton; Temple, Jeff
Objective: Teen dating violence (TDV) is a significant public health problem in adolescence with high prevalence and serious consequences. Despite advances in identification of risk factors, prevention efforts, and intervention, the TDV literature has overwhelmingly used samples that do not assess sexual orientation or assume heterosexuality. Although a few studies have explicitly examined TDV among sexual minorities in adolescents, methodological issues limit the generalizability of these findings, and no study to date has examined patterns of dating violence over time in sexual minority youth. Method: An ethnically diverse sample of 782 adolescents completed self-report measures of dating violence, hostility, substance use, exposure to interparental violence, and sexual orientation. Results: Sexual minority adolescents reported higher rates of both TDV perpetration and victimization, and this finding persisted across two years for perpetration, but not victimization. Findings also revealed that traditional risk factors of TDV (i.e. substance use, exposure to interparental violence) were not associated with TDV for sexual minority youth, though sexual orientation itself emerged as a risk factor over and above covariates when considering severe (i.e. physical and sexual) dating violence perpetration. Conclusions: Sexual minorities may be at a greater risk for TDV than their heterosexual peers. Findings are discussed within the context of a minority stress model. Future research is needed to parse out factors specifically related to sexual orientation from a stressful or invalidating environment.
An interdependent look at perceptions of spousal drinking problems and marital outcomes
(Alcohol, 2015-09) Rodriguez, Lindsey M.; Neighbors, Clayton
Research indicates a bidirectional association between heavy alcohol use and marital quality among couples. The current research extends previous research on the role of interpersonal perception by examining how partner drinking and perceiving one’s partner’s drinking as problematic are associated with subsequent marital outcomes. Moreover, we evaluated how perceiving one’s partner to have a drinking problem was associated with marital functioning, and whether that association differed based on the partner’s actual drinking. Married couples (N = 123 dyads) with at least one spouse who consumed alcohol regularly completed measures of alcohol use and consequences, the perception that their spouse’s drinking was problematic, and marital adjustment (i.e., relationship satisfaction, commitment, and trust). Results from actor-partner interdependence models using structural equations modeling indicated that for husbands, partner heavy drinking was associated with lower adjustment. Additionally, for husbands, perceiving their spouse had a drinking problem was associated with lower adjustment for both themselves and their wives. Moreover, significant interactions between partner drinking and the perception of partner drinking problem on marital adjustment emerged, controlling for amount of consumption. Specifically, perceiving one’s partner’s drinking as a problem was only negatively associated with relationship adjustment if the partner reported higher levels of heavy drinking. This pattern was stronger for husbands. Results illustrate the importance of interpersonal perception, gender differences, and the use of dyadic data to model the complex dynamic between spouses with regard to alcohol use and how it affects relationship outcomes.
Anxiety sensitivity and hazardous drinking among persons living with HIV/AIDS: An examination of the role of emotion dysregulation
(Addictive Behaviors, 2016-12) Paulus, Daniel J.; Jardin, Charles; Bakhshaie, Jafar; Sharp, Carla; Woods, Steven P.; Lemaire, Chad; Leonard, Amy; Neighbors, Clayton; Brandt, Charles Philip; Zvolensky, Michael J.
Hazardous drinking is prevalent among persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Anxiety sensitivity is a vulnerability factor that is highly associated with hazardous drinking among seronegatives, but has yet to be tested in PLWHA. Additionally, there is a need to examine potential mechanisms underlying associations of anxiety sensitivity and hazardous drinking. Emotion dysregulation is one potential construct that may explain the association between anxiety sensitivity and hazardous drinking. The current study examined emotion dysregulation as a potential explanatory variable between anxiety sensitivity and four, clinically significant alcohol-related outcomes among PLWHA: hazardous drinking, symptoms of alcohol dependence, number of days consuming alcohol within the past month, and degree of past heavy episodic drinking. The sample included 126 PLWHA (Mage=48.3; SD=7.5; 65.9% male). Results indicated significant indirect effects of anxiety sensitivity via emotion dysregulation in all models. Indirect effects (κ2) were of medium effect size. Alternative models were run reversing the predictor with mediator and, separately, reversing the mediator with the proposed outcome(s); alternative models yielded non-significant indirect effects in all but one case. Together, the current results indicate that anxiety sensitivity is associated emotion dysregulation, which, in turn, is associated with hazardous drinking outcomes. Overall, these findings may provide initial empirical evidence that emotion dysregulation may be a clinical intervention target for hazardous drinking.
Anxiety Sensitivity and Smoking Topography: A Multi-Method Experimental Investigation
(2016-05) Farris, Samantha G.; Zvolensky, Michael J.; Blalock, Janice A.; Neighbors, Clayton; Lu, Qian
Introduction: Anxiety sensitivity, the tendency to catastrophically interpret the meaning of anxiety-relevant interoceptive sensations, is implicated in the acquisition and maintenance of anxiety symptoms/disorders and aspects of cigarette smoking. Smokers who tend to perceive interoceptive sensations as harmful or dangerous may be more likely to smoke for affect-regulatory purposes. The present study tested an experimental model of negative reinforcement-based smoking motivation by examining the extent to which laboratory-induced physiological arousal impacts smoking urges, craving, smoking topography (puff style), and the moderating role of anxiety sensitivity. Method: Adult daily smokers (n = 90; Mage = 43.6 [SD = 9.7]; average 15.8 cigarettes per day) were recruited to participate in a single-session experimental study. Participants were randomly assigned to complete a biological challenge procedure, used as an experimental emotion-provocation task that consisted of a single vital capacity inhalation of 35% CO2-enriched air mixture or compressed room air (control condition). Smoking urges and smoking topography (puff behavior) were assessed before and after the challenge. Results: Exposure to the 35% CO2-enriched air experimental condition, relative to room air, elicited significantly higher levels of subjective distress (b = 0.72, p = .013), panic attack symptoms (b = 1.13, p < .0001), heart rate (b = 0.14, p = .002), and respiration rate (b = 0.47, p < .038). All effects were medium to large in size (Cohen’s d range = 0.53 – 1.13). Results revealed a main effect of experimental condition in terms of self-report smoking urges post-challenge (b = -81.26, p = .048; d = -0.45), such that smokers exposed to the 35% CO2-enriched air reported significantly lower smoking urges post-challenge, relative to the room air condition. There was a significant interaction between anxiety sensitivity and experimental condition (b = -9.96, p = .014; d = -.56), such that high anxiety sensitive smokers exposed to 35% CO2-enriched air reported significantly lower levels of smoking urges, relative to low anxiety sensitive smokers, and anxiety sensitivity did not differentially impact smoking urges for those exposed to room air. Regarding smoking topography, results revealed a non-significant main effect of experimental condition in terms of latency to smoking initiation or average inter-puff interval post-challenge. There was a significant condition effect for average puff volume (b = -8.11, p = .048) and puff duration (b = -144.39, p = .050), such that exposure to 35% CO2-enriched air relative to room air, resulted in significantly smaller and shorter puff inhalations while smoking (Cohen’s d = -0.43). There were no significant interaction effects of experimental condition by anxiety sensitivity for any of the smoking topography outcomes. Discussion: The experience of abrupt physiological distress may immediately result in decreased subjective smoking urges and changes in puff behavior (smaller volume; shorter duration), likely due to intensity of the cardiorespiratory distress experienced from the 35% CO2-enriched air manipulation. This appeared to be particularly true for smokers high in anxiety sensitivity, at least in the case of subjective smoking urges. Findings are contextualized with the existing literature examining mechanistic factors linking panic attacks and smoking.
Association Between Acculturative Stress and Drinking Among Hispanic/Latino Immigrant Undergraduates Moderated by Drinking to Cope and Social Norms
(2021-04-01) Lomeli, Barbara; Angosta, Joanne
Social Influences and Health Behaviors Lab:Purpose: Past literature has demonstrated that acculturative stress is associated with drinking among immigrants while overestimating peer drinking is associated with drinking among college students. Additionally, normalized alcohol use could be related to coping motives. The present study aimed to determine if the association between acculturative stress and drinking among Hispanic/Latino immigrant undergraduates is moderated by drinking to cope and social norms. We hypothesized that acculturative stress is positively associated with drinking outcomes. We further expected associations between acculturative stress and drinking to be stronger for those who endorsed drinking to cope and for those who reported higher perceived drinking norms. Methods: Undergraduates who identified as Hispanic/Latino (N=112) completed a one-time, online survey. Participants answered measures of acculturative stress, drinking norms, and drinking behaviors (weekly drinks and alcohol-related consequences). Results: Acculturative stress was not uniquely associated with either drinking outcome. Drinking to cope was positively associated with both weekly drinks (b=0.969, p=.010) and alcohol-related consequences (b=1.590, p=.002). Drinking norms were negatively associated with alcohol-related consequences (b=-0.121, p=.021). A significant interaction between acculturative stress and drinking norms (b=.001, p=.049) suggested that the negative association between acculturative stress and alcohol-related consequences was stronger among those who reported lower norms. Conclusion: Our results indicated that acculturative stress was not associated with drinking outcomes. The immigrant paradox or unmeasured protective factors could have influenced the findings. Future studies should explore different drinking motives and acculturative stress among immigrant adults.
Attempted training of alcohol approach and drinking identity associations in US undergraduate drinkers: null results from two studies
(PloS one, 2015) Lindgren, Kristen P.; Wiers, Reinout W.; Teachman, Bethany A.; Gasser, Melissa L.; Westgate, Erin C.; Cousijn, Janna; Enkema, Matthew C.; Neighbors, Clayton
There is preliminary evidence that approach avoid training can shift implicit alcohol associations and improve treatment outcomes. We sought to replicate and extend those findings in US undergraduate social drinkers (Study 1) and at-risk drinkers (Study 2). Three adaptations of the approach avoid task (AAT) were tested. The first adaptation – the approach avoid training – was a replication and targeted implicit alcohol approach associations. The remaining two adaptations – the general identity and personalized identity trainings – targeted implicit drinking identity associations, which are robust predictors of hazardous drinking in US undergraduates. Study 1 included 300 undergraduate social drinkers. They were randomly assigned to real or sham training conditions for one of the three training adaptations, and completed two training sessions, spaced one week apart. Study 2 included 288 undergraduates at risk for alcohol use disorders. The same training procedures were used, but the two training sessions occurred within a single week. Results were not as expected. Across both studies, the approach avoid training yielded no evidence of training effects on implicit alcohol associations or alcohol outcomes. The general identity training also yielded no evidence of training effects on implicit alcohol associations or alcohol outcomes with one exception; individuals who completed real training demonstrated no changes in drinking refusal self-efficacy whereas individuals who completed sham training had reductions in self-efficacy. Finally, across both studies, the personalized identity training yielded no evidence of training effects on implicit alcohol associations or alcohol outcomes. Despite having relatively large samples and using a well-validated training task, study results indicated all three training adaptations were ineffective at this dose in US undergraduates. These findings are important because training studies are costly and labor-intensive. Future research may benefit from focusing on more severe populations, pairing training with other interventions, increasing training dose, and increasing gamification of training tasks.
Benefit Finding and Low Socioeconomic Status: Does it Buffer Against the Deleterious Effects of Chronic Stress?
(2018-12) Wang, Carol; Lu, Qian; Neighbors, Clayton; Reitzel, Lorraine R.
Literature has documented benefit finding, the process of deriving benefits within adverse experiences, as a valuable psychological resource for those who have undergone traumatic experiences such as cancer, terrorism, war, or sexual assault. It is unclear whether benefit finding operates in a similar manner among those who undergo chronic stress such as those from low socioeconomic (SES) backgrounds. SES is one of the most robust predictors of health. Low SES predisposes individuals to chronic stress, which over time, compromises immune functioning whereby one’s bodily responses to stressors may become maladaptive and contribute to further illness, disease, and deterioration of psychological health. Benefit finding is a potential pathway in improving psychological well-being among those low in SES. The current study examined the efficacy of a benefit finding writing intervention among low SES undergraduate students on improving psychological health and perceived control. The study also explored the impact of writing on health behaviors. It was hypothesized that benefit finding writing would improve health outcomes, and the effects would be moderated by difficulties in emotional regulation, optimism, and personality traits. The mechanisms of the impact of benefit finding writing on outcomes were explored with benefit finding, positive affect, and cognitive reappraisal as potential mediators. 178 undergraduate students who self-indicated experiencing some type of financial strain in childhood participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either the benefit finding group, to write for 20 minutes three times within a week, about the perceived benefits of being from a low social class background, or the control group, to write about a mundane topic. Both groups also completed a battery of questionnaires at baseline and follow-up at two weeks and four months post-writing. Results showed no group differences in psychological well-being at the two week follow-up. The benefit finding group had lower personal mastery compared to the control group only at the two week follow-up among those with higher levels of difficulties regulating emotions. At the four month follow-up, those in the benefit finding group had lower perceived stress than those in the control group. This study adds to the current literature on benefit finding by examining its potential benefits to low SES individuals through a writing intervention. A number of limitations of the study and future directions are discussed.
Benefit Finding and Resiliency in the Wake of Hurricane Harvey and Cancer
(2021-12) Wang, Carol; Lu, Qian; Neighbors, Clayton; Derrick, Jaye L.; Gallagher, Matthew W.
Adverse life events such as cancer or exposure to a hurricane have profound and lasting impacts on the individual. The psychological and social costs of undergoing such events can be devastating. While many individuals report adverse psychological effects in response to these adverse life events, some report positive psychological growth and adaptive responses, such as proactive attempts to process the experience. Benefit finding, or finding the benefits from adversity, is a potentially important mechanism in helping relieve the impact of these events on psychological health. However, little is known about the relationship between benefit finding and physiological health. Benefit finding may be particularly relevant to writing interventions, which have been effective in improving psychological and physical health among individuals who have undergone adversity. The current paper reviews two studies, (1) one that tests the efficacy of a writing intervention for those exposed to Hurricane Harvey and the role of benefit finding as a mediator and moderator, and (2) another examining the relationship between benefit finding and cortisol profiles of Chinese American breast cancer survivors. In Study 1, participants completed baseline assessments and one writing session. Participants were randomized to either an emotional disclosure group, gratitude writing group, choice of writing prompt, or to a control group and completed one-week, one-month, and four-month follow-up assessments. Analyses were conducted using multilevel modeling. Those in the choice of writing prompt group reported significant improvement in their satisfaction with life, over time, compared to the control group. No support was found for positive or negative affect as mediators and benefit finding and hurricane exposure as moderators. The lack of evidence supporting the hypotheses, specifically, the mediators and moderators, was largely due to the study’s high attrition rate which rendered not enough power to sufficiently detect an effect. Nevertheless, the results are discussed in the context of existing expressive writing theories and recommendations are provided for future studies. In Study 2, we sought to explore the relationship between benefit finding and cortisol markers among cancer survivors. No support was found for the hypotheses that benefit finding would be positively related to cortisol indices. Alternate explanations will be provided to explain the null findings. There were some notable strengths including the sample size and number of days sampled. This is the first study examining the link between benefit finding and diurnal cortisol among minority cancer survivors. The findings of these studies add to the research on writing interventions and benefit finding, and underscores the need for further research to examine the effects of benefit finding on psychological and physical health.