An experience sampling study of associations between affect and alcohol use and problems among college students.
OBJECTIVE
This study used experienced sampling methodology to examine the relationship between affective functioning and alcohol consumption and problems.


METHODS
Fifty-six college students provided baseline data on measures of impulsivity and distress tolerance and provided experience sampling data for 2 weeks on measures of negative affect, positive affect, and alcohol consumption and problems. Women made up 54% of the sample. The sample ranged in age from 21 to 23 (mean [SD] = 21.50 [0.57]); 98% were white and 2% were Asian.


RESULTS
As predicted, higher levels of both positive and negative affect during the day were associated with higher rates of consumption that night. In contrast, negative, but not positive, affect was associated with alcohol-related problems after controlling for alcohol consumption. Impulsivity was associated with higher consumption and problems and moderated the relationships between negative affect and problems and also between alcohol consumption and problems. Low distress tolerance was associated with a decreased association between positive affectivity and alcohol consumption.


CONCLUSIONS
This study replicated and extended previous research on affective models of alcohol use and problems through the use of experience sampling methodology. The results demonstrated associations between affective variables and alcohol consumption and problems measured through near real-time assessment. The results suggest a functional association between alcohol consumption and problems and both within-person changes in affect and between-person differences in impulsivity and distress tolerance.
Simons
Jeffrey S
JS
Department of Psychology, University of South Dakota, 414 East Clark Street, Vermillion, South Dakota 57069, USA. jsimons@usd.edu
Gaher
Raluca M
RM
Oliver
Matthew N I
MN
Bush
Jacqueline A
JA
Palmer
Marc A
MA
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012931:Social Environment; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities