The purpose of the current studies was to look at the importance of contextual and individual difference factors, as well as sex differences, on the expected effects of alcohol. The vulnerability and gender role violation hypotheses were examined as explanations for previous findings of sex differences in anxiety responses to alcohol consumption within heterosexual social situations. In the first study, the contextual variables of sex of the target being rated and sex of target’s companion as well as the factors of sex of subject and beverage consumed were examined to clarify the role of anxiety related to the presence of opposite sex companions and anxiety. The factors of sex of companion, sex of target, and beverage were manipulated within a vignette format. Subjects were asked to read the vignette and to answer questions about the main character in the vignette. There were significant beverage by sex of subject interactions indicating that male subjects expected alcohol to reduce impairment and increase social appeal relative to female subjects who tended to expect that consuming alcohol would decrease social appeal and increase impairment. In addition, male subjects expected alcohol to decrease anxiety and increase social skill while female subjects did not expect such an increase and, instead, expected a decrease in social skill in male targets drinking alcohol and no effect on anxiety. These findings did not support either the hypothesis of vulnerability or of gender role violation as explanations of sex differences in alcohol expectancies. Based on the findings of the first study, the goals of the second study were to tease apart possible relationships that individual differences in gender role, sexual description of target and additional motivation to impress the companion could have with feelings of anxiety and other alcohol expectancies in a situation in which both alcohol and being with an opposite sex companion are involved. This was done within a vignette format. Described target sexuality, motivation to impress, and discomfort with behaviors outside the traditional feminine gender role were not found to moderate alcohol expectancies. Interpretation of the results in relation to the vulnerability and gender role violation hypotheses and directions for future research are discussed. / Master of Science

Women in distressed relationships who had sustained severe psychological abuse and either no, moderate, or severe violence from their partner were included (N = 93). Men's and women's alcohol use did not differ with level of violence. Different patterns were found in the moderate violence group regarding women's beliefs about their partner's substance problem, men's psychological abuse, and the relationship of men's and women's quantity of alcohol use and times intoxicated. Uncertainty resulting from moderate violence may strengthen the emotional impact of psychological abuse. Even when psychological abuse is exacerbated by violence, women may use active coping techniques rather than drinking to cope with abusive relationships. The findings suggest that an inordinate focus on alcohol abuse may be ineffective in combating the problem of domestic violence.

Research identifying the relationship between inhibition and binge drinking in young adults is limited. Accordingly, this study aimed to identify which subcomponent(s) of inhibitory performance is most sensitive at discerning binge-drinking behavior among young adults through a longitudinal design. The sample consisted of 182 alcohol consuming college students (48.3% male) with a mean age of 21.04±1.83 years. Inhibitory processing and alcohol behavior were assessed at baseline and six months later at follow-up. Alcohol behavior was also evaluated throughout participation via 13 biweekly alcohol logs. Multiple regression analysis revealed that interference inhibition (Simon task) contributed to the prediction of the number of drinks consumed during binge drinking occasion among males. These findings suggest that specific subcomponents of response inhibition, and not others, are more suitable for predicting alcohol consumption habits. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Recent studies have documented an alarming rate of alcohol use in Japan (Eisenback-Stangl et al., 2005; Milne, 2003; Shimizu, 2000). Indeed, permissive social and cultural norms for alcohol use exist within Japanese culture (Shimizu, 1990, 2000). Japanese college-students may be at further risk due to their developmental time period, where increases in alcohol use are typically seen. Furthermore, drinking habits formed during this time period may be difficult to alter later in life (Frone, 2003). Thus, social, developmental, and cultural factors exist to influence drinking among Japanese college students. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the drinking behaviors of Japanese college students and possible proximal predictors of use. Specifically, given the importance of social relationships and interactions to interdependent cultures, such as Japan, the occurrence of negative social interactions may be influential in predicting subsequent drinking, as individuals may increase drinking in order to adhere to the social norms and to make amends. Hypothesis testing confirmed a significant and positive relationship between negative social events and drinking with others. Furthermore, the expected physical, social and emotional outcomes of alcohol consumption (alcohol outcome expectancies) have been shown to predict alcohol use among U.S. samples (e.g., Goldman, 1994), however, daily fluctuations in the desirability of alcohol outcome expectancies has not been previously investigated in a Japanese sample. Given the importance of fluctuations in desirability of alcohol outcome expectancies among U.S. samples (Armeli et al., 2005), this dissertation investigated daily fluctuations in the desirability of expected outcomes and alcohol use. Support for this relationship was found; on days with individuals experienced increases in the desirability of alcohol outcome expectancies, individuals drank more with others. Support for the hypothesis that increases in daily negative social events would predict increases in the desirability of alcohol outcome expectancies was not found. Finally, this dissertation investigated two types of self-efficacy (drinking refusal self-efficacy and social self-efficacy) as stable factors of drinking. Drinking refusal self-efficacy significantly and negatively predicted drinking with others; marginal support for drinking refusal self-efficacy as a moderator of the relationship between negative social events and drinking with others was found. Social self-efficacy significantly and positively predicted drinking with others. No support was found for social self-efficacy as a moderating variable in the relationship between negative social events and drinking with others. In sum, using data that was previously collected via daily process methodology, this dissertation investigated the relationships between daily negative social interactions, daily desirability of alcohol outcome expectancies, and drinking refusal and social self-efficacy as moderators of alcohol consumption. Support was found for five of the seven hypothesized relationships.

This study addressed the incidence of drug use by freshmen at Siuslaw High School in Florence, Oregon, and sought their opinions about effective drug and alcohol prevention programs. The purpose was to provide basic data which would ultimately assist in specific drug and alcohol programs for this population. In phase one, 83 students from four of seven freshmen Health Education randomly selected classes were given the Washington State Survey of Adolescent Health Behavior. This survey consisted of 81 questions about student demographics, students' drug use, and their opinions of drug prevention programs. During phase two, the students were asked open-ended questions about their suggestions for more effective drug prevention programs and curriculum. The survey revealed an average amount of drug use and that the students did not think the drug prevention program at Siuslaw was working. The survey also revealed that teenagers are influenced to drink and use drugs by the media, their friends, and by a lack of activities offered by the community. The study conclusions showed that Florence does have teenage drug use and the community should consider a variety of approaches. Data suggest that more youth support groups, more affordable counseling, and more recreational activities may help reduce drug use. The school needs to develop a more comprehensive drug prevention curriculum and implement it at the younger grade levels. The school combined with the community, should offer more drug-free alternatives and target those youths who are not using drugs and promote their positive behavior. / Graduation date: 1995

The compatibility of on-site consumption alcohol outlets as land use is predicted by the acceptance level of the utility or disutility they enjoy amongst residents in a neighbourhood. The density of alcohol outlets is argued in literature as correlating to the significant positive rate of amenity effects that include property crime, alcohol related arrests, drunk-driving, fatal and severe alcohol-induced accidents, violence and assault amongst many others. The problems associated with on-site consumption alcohol outlets have been insistently brought to the attention of the Umjindi Local Municipality in the Ehlanzeni District area in Mpumalanga Province by the residents of the Emjindini neighbourhood. The study is based on the hypothesis that the high density of on-site consumption alcohol outlets contributes to the incompatibility of such outlets with residential areas. In addressing the research sub-questions and validating the research hypothesis, the study adopted various methods (including land use surveys, interviews, administration of questionnaires, literature review and document review) for the collection, analysis, interpretation and discussion of data. The study reveals that the higher density of alcohol consumption outlets is significant in areas of low socioeconomic status. The Emjindini Townships are located with the density of 1 on-site consumption alcohol outlet per 263 people. Liquor legislation in South Africa leaves a lot to be desired in its guidelines for alcohol outlet density, public participation, location radius and local authority involvement. In addition, our findings showed that the significantly unacceptable level of impact thereof is experienced especially in the night, in areas characterised by the high density of on-site consumption alcohol outlets. The on-site consumption alcohol outlets are seen as compatible land uses in residential areas for the reason that, the unacceptable level of impact is insignificant during the day. The adoption of preferred and practical guidelines related to the locality and density of on-site consumption alcohol outlets, compatibility performance standards and public participation are recommended for policy and practice. The amendment to the liquor law is subsequently proposed in this study. / M.U.R.D.P. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2014.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Pardee Rand Graduate School, 2007. / Title from title screen (viewed on June 13, 2008). This website links to the complete document in PDF format. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 1962. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: no abstract available / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: geen opsomming

This research study will clarify with facts and evidence that drinking alcoholic beverages is a social problem in American society. It will also focus on indepth interviews using the laddering technique on a small sample of eight respondents.