title: Identifying component-processes of executive functioning that serve as risk factors for the alcohol-aggression relation.
abstract: The present investigation determined how different component-processes of executive functioning (EF) served as risk factors for intoxicated aggression. Participants were 512 (246 males and 266 females) healthy social drinkers between 21 and 35 years of age. EF was measured using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A) that assesses nine EF components. After the consumption of either an alcohol or a placebo beverage, participants were tested on a modified version of the Taylor Aggression Paradigm in which mild electric shocks were received from, and administered to, a fictitious opponent. Aggressive behavior was operationalized as the shock intensities and durations administered to the opponent. Although a general BRIEF-A EF construct consisting of all nine components predicted intoxicated aggression, the best predictor involved one termed the Behavioral Regulation Index that comprises component processes such as inhibition, emotional control, flexible thinking, and self-monitoring.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, 115 Kastle Hall, Lexington, KY 40506-0044, USA. giancola.uky@gmail.com
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Giancola
authors.forename: Aaron J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Godlaski
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Roth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000523:psychology; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D001944:Breath Tests; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D056348:Emotional Intelligence / Q000187:drug effects; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis; D056344:Executive Function / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010919:Placebos; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D012647:Self-Assessment; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D000431:Ethanol