title: Are all alcohol and energy drink users the same? Examining individual variation in relation to alcohol mixed with energy drink use, risky drinking, and consequences.
abstract: Individuals who consume alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmEDs) have been identified as higher-risk drinkers, as they are more prone to drink increased amounts of alcohol and experience more consequences compared with non-AmED users. The present study examined differential AmED use and alcohol consumption simultaneously as multidimensional risk behaviors among AmED users. Students who identified as drinkers and current AmED users (n = 195) completed a Web-based survey related to their AmED consumption and typical drinking patterns. Latent profile analysis was used to classify participants into distinct AmED user profiles. Profiles were then compared on AmED-based cognitive factors (e.g., expectancies, norms) and alcohol-related consequences. Four AmED user profiles emerged: moderate drinker, low proportion AmED users (ML); heavy drinker, low proportion AmED users (HL); moderate drinker, high proportion AmED users (MH); and heavy drinker, high proportion AmED users (HH). Membership in higher-proportion AmED groups was associated with more positive AmED expectancies and perceived norms. No significant differences were observed in the amount of consequences endorsed by HL and HHs; however, MHs experienced significantly more alcohol-related physical consequences than MLs. This suggests that increased use of AmEDs is associated with increased risk of experiencing alcohol-related consequences for moderate drinkers. Screening students for AmED use could be used as a novel, inexpensive tool to identify high-risk drinkers for targeted interventions aimed at reducing alcohol consumption and related problems.
authors.affiliation: Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University.
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Mallett
authors.affiliation: Prevention Research Center.
authors.forename: Miesha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marzell
authors.affiliation: Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University.
authors.forename: Nichole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Scaglione
authors.affiliation: Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University.
authors.forename: Brittney
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hultgren
authors.affiliation: Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University.
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Turrisi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D061215:Energy Drinks / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D012309:Risk-Taking; D055815:Young Adult