Role of Drinking Attitudes and Trait Impulsivity in Prenatal Alcohol Craving and Consumption in Mothers of Reproductive Age

Abstract

Background/Objective: Recognizing the severe consequences of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), the present study explored the role of drinking attitudes, trait impulsivity, and decision-making toward instant gratification in alcohol craving and consumption during pregnancy among mothers of reproductive age. Methods: Utilizing participants from Amazon Mechanical Turk (N = 141), we first categorized mothers into three groups: those who neither craved nor consumed alcohol during their last pregnancy, those who craved but did not consume, and those who craved and consumed alcohol. Using binomial logistic regression, we then examined what factors, if any, could differentiate between (a) mothers who craved alcohol during pregnancy and those who did not and (b) mothers who resisted alcohol cravings and those who yielded to them. Results: The findings indicated that drinking attitudes significantly predicted alcohol craving during pregnancy. However, trait impulsivity emerged as a significant predictor of alcohol consumption among those who experienced cravings. Conclusion: The present study contributes to a better understanding of psychological mechanisms underlying alcohol craving and consumption during pregnancy, which in turn may contribute to the development of targeted interventions for this problem.