A comprehensive investigation of the relationship between anxiety, alcohol misuse and alcohol expectancies

Abstract

Anxiety, alcohol misuse and alcohol expectancies have been shown to all be positively linked to one another. In the current study participants (N=101) alcohol expectancies were expected to be influenced by the nature of their drinking and general and social anxiety were expected be related to specific types of positive expectancies. General anxiety and negative affect were expected to predict problematic drinking and levels of alcohol consumption among participants were also examined in regards to their levels of social anxiety. The quasi-experimental portion of the study revealed that problematic drinkers and high alcohol consumers held significantly higher alcohol expectancies compared to less problematic or lower consumers. Participants levels of social anxiety wasn’t shown to influence their alcohol consumption. General anxiety and negative affect were both found to share a significant weak relationship with problematic drinking. General anxiety and social anxiety were both shown to be significantly related to positive alcohol expectancies. Results are discussed in regards to possible limitations and future directions. Author keywords: alcohol, anxiety, alcohol expectancies