Moderators of implicit and explicit drinking identity in a large US adult sample. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lindgren, Kristen P.; Gasser, Melissa L.; Werntz, Alexandra; Namaky, Nauder; Baldwin, Scott A.; Teachman, Bethany A.
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 60(2016)
• Page Start: 177
• Page End: 183
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Implicit drinking identity -- Explicit drinking identity -- Hazardous drinking -- Age -- Sex; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; Nicotine addiction -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Periodicals; Gambling -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.29
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.04.022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Abstract: Drinking identity (viewing oneself as a drinker) is a potential risk factor for problematic drinking in US undergraduate samples. Whether that risk extends to a broader, more general US sample is unknown. Additionally, there are critical, unanswered questions with respect to moderators of the drinking identity–problematic drinking relationship; an important issue for designing prevention efforts. Study aims were to assess the unique associations and interactive effects of implicit and explicit measures of drinking identity on problematic drinking, and to evaluate age and sex as potential moderators of the drinking identity–problematic drinking relationship. A sample of 11, 320 adults aged 18–98 completed measures of implicit and explicit drinking identity and problematic drinking (the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test; AUDIT). Implicit and explicit drinking identity had positive, significant associations with AUDIT scores, as expected. Moderation analyses indicated small, but significant, interactions. There was an implicit by explicit identity interaction consistent with a synergistic effect: lower implicit and explicit identity was linked to a greater probability of being a non-drinker. Age moderated explicit but not implicit identity: lower drinking identity appeared to be more protective for younger individuals. Sex moderated implicit but not explicit identity: a weaker positive association with implicit identity and AUDIT scores was observed among men, potentially reflecting stigma against women's drinking. Findings suggest that drinking identity's potential as a risk factor for problematic drinking extends to a more general US sample and that both implicit and explicit identity should be targeted in prevention efforts. Highlights: We investigated implicit and explicit drinking identities in a large US sample. Moderators of the identity–problematic drinking relationship were evaluated. Moderation effects were small. Identity positively predicted problem drinking across age groups and sex. Drinking identity is a promising, generalizable risk factor for problem drinking.