title: Facing temptation in the bar: counteracting the effects of self-control failure on young adults' ad libitum alcohol intake.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The self-control strength model suggests that exertion of self-control leads to poorer subsequent self-control performance. Failure of self-control has been suggested as an important underlying mechanism of excessive drinking. This study tested the effects of self-control failure on ad libitum drinking, and the potential moderating role of glucose and self-awareness on this relationship.
  
  
  METHODS
  The current research examined in two experiments whether the effects of self-control failure were different for males and females, and whether glucose (experiment 1) and self-awareness (experiment 2) would counteract the effects of self-control failure. A between-participants design with four conditions was employed in each experiment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A semi-naturalistic drinking setting in the form of a laboratory bar.
  
  
  METHODS
  Undergraduate students recruited at Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands (experiment 1: n = 106; experiment 2: n = 108).
  
  
  METHODS
  The total amount of alcohol consumed during an experimental break (observational data) and questionnaire data on drinking patterns.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Self-control failure led to increased levels of drinking in males (P < 0.05), whereas females drank less after being depleted (P < 0.01). Self-awareness, but not glucose, was found to counteract the effects of self-control failure among males (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-control failure leads to increased drinking of alcohol in males and decreased levels of drinking alcohol in females. However, increasing self-awareness appears to be a promising strategy in facing the temptation to drink when cognitive resources to inhibit intake are low.
authors: Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
authors: Roy
authors: R
authors: Otten
authors: Mira B
authors: MB
authors: Cladder-Micus
authors: J Loes
authors: JL
authors: Pouwels
authors: Maximilian
authors: M
authors: Hennig
authors: Angela A T
authors: AA
authors: Schuurmans
authors: Roel C J
authors: RC
authors: Hermans
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D001519:Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D012927:Social Control, Informal; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Alcohol; bar laboratory; ego depletion; glucose; self-awareness; self-control; young adults