title: Alexithymia and alcohol consumption: the mediating effects of drinking motives.
abstract: The association between alexithymia and alcohol consumption has been well documented. However, little research has investigated the mechanisms behind the association. In the present study, the relationship between alexithymia, drinking motives and alcohol consumption was examined in a group of social (non-problem) drinkers. In a cross-sectional study, 862 participants completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Drinking Motives Questionnaire, and provided alcohol consumption information. Regression analyses revealed that alexithymia predicts alcohol consumption. Formal mediation analyses demonstrated that this relationship was fully mediated by social, enhancement and coping drinking motives, and partially mediated by conformity. Drinking motives may represent one mechanism to explain the association between alexithymia and alcohol consumption.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, PA1 2BE, UK. gillian.bruce@uws.ac.uk
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Curren
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012606:Scotland; D012919:Social Behavior; D012925:Social Conformity; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult