Facing temptation in the bar: counteracting the effects of self‐control failure on young adults' ad libitum alcohol intake. (16th January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Otten, Roy; Cladder‐Micus, Mira B.; Pouwels, J. Loes; Hennig, Maximilian; Schuurmans, Angela A. T.; Hermans, Roel C. J.
• Is Part Of: Addiction. Volume 109:Number 5(2014:May)
• Page Start: 746
• Page End: 753
• Publication Date: 2014-01-16
• Subjects: Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1111/add.12446
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0965-2140

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="add12446-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background and Aims</title> <p>The self‐control strength model suggests that exertion of self‐control leads to poorer subsequent self‐control performance. Failure of self‐control has been suggested as an important underlying mechanism of excessive drinking. This study tested the effects of self‐control failure on <italic>ad libitum</italic> drinking, and the potential moderating role of glucose and self‐awareness on this relationship.</p> </sec> <sec id="add12446-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Design</title> <p>The current research examined in two experiments whether the effects of self‐control failure were different for males and females, and whether glucose (experiment 1) and self‐awareness (experiment 2) would counteract the effects of self‐control failure. A between‐participants design with four conditions was employed in each experiment.</p> </sec> <sec id="add12446-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Setting</title> <p>A semi‐naturalistic drinking setting in the form of a laboratory bar.</p> </sec> <sec id="add12446-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Participants</title> <p>Undergraduate students recruited at Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands (experiment 1: <italic>n</italic> = 106; experiment 2: <italic>n</italic> = 108).</p> </sec> <sec id="add12446-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Measurements</title> <p>The total amount of alcohol consumed during an experimental break (observational data) and questionnaire data on drinking patterns.</p> </sec> <sec id="add12446-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Findings</title> <p>Self‐control failure led to increased levels of drinking in males (<italic>P</italic> < 0.05), whereas females drank less after being depleted (<italic>P</italic> < 0.01). Self‐awareness, but not glucose, was found to counteract the effects of self‐control failure among males (<italic>P</italic> < 0.05).</p> </sec> <sec id="add12446-sec-0007" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Self‐control failure leads to increased drinking of alcohol in males and decreased levels of drinking alcohol in females. However, increasing self‐awareness appears to be a promising strategy in facing the temptation to drink when cognitive resources to inhibit intake are low.</p> </sec> </abstract>