title: Self-control and implicit drinking identity as predictors of alcohol consumption, problems, and cravings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated trait and alcohol-specific self-control as unique predictors and moderators of the relation between implicit drinking identity associations and drinking.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred undergraduates completed a drinking identity Implicit Association Test (IAT), trait and alcohol self-control questionnaires, and alcohol consumption, problems, and cravings inventories.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regression analyses tested for unique effects of predictors and for Self-Control × IAT interactions. Each predictor accounted for unique variance in consumption, but there was no evidence of moderation effects. Both types of self-control, but not IAT scores, accounted for unique variance in problems. A Trait Self-Control × Implicit Drinking interaction accounted for excess zeros in problems, with a greater likelihood of not having alcohol problems among individuals with low implicit identity who had higher versus lower trait self-control. Each predictor accounted for unique variance in cravings. A Trait Self-Control × IAT interaction was also found, indicating that implicit drinking identity was a stronger predictor of cravings among those with lower versus higher trait self-control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results are partially consistent with previous research: Both types of self-control and drinking identity associations predicted unique variance in drinking, and moderation effects were observed for trait self-control and drinking identity associations and two of the three drinking variables. Findings suggest that trait and alcohol-specific self-control and implicit drinking identity could be useful intervention targets.
authors.affiliation: Center for the Study of Health and Risk Behaviors, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
authors.forename: Kristen P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Lindgren
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Clayton
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Neighbors
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Westgate
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Elske
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salemink
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult