Alcohol outcome expectancies and regrettable drinking-related social behaviors

Abstract

Aims: Research has shown that alcohol outcome expectancies are predictive of heavy alcohol consumption, which can lead to risky behavior. The purpose of the present study was to assess the incidence of various low-risk social behaviors while drinking among college students. Such social behaviors may later be regretted (referred to as regrettable social behaviors) and include electronic and in-person communications. Methods: College students (N = 236) completed measures of alcohol outcome expectancies and regrettable social behaviors. Results: Regrettable social behaviors were reported by 66.1% of participants, suggesting that they may occur at a much higher rate than more serious drinking-related consequences (e.g. drinking and driving, violence, etc.). Expectancies for social facilitation predicted regrettable social behavior. Further, this relationship was mediated by amount of alcohol consumed. Conclusion: Given the high incidence, regrettable social behaviors may be effective targets in alcohol prevention programming.