title: The Role of Positive Expectancies in Risk Behavior.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alcohol use and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) appear to share a conceptual overlap in functions (e.g., tension reduction). Alcohol use has been identified as a risk factor for NSSI, and higher rates of alcohol use have been documented among those with NSSI history.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examined whether NSSI-related alcohol expectancies affect relations between NSSI and alcohol use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 367 college students (73% female) asked to complete an online survey about their drinking behavior and lifetime NSSI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NSSI and alcohol use were highly prevalent in this sample: 56% endorsed lifetime NSSI and 74% endorsed current alcohol use. Of note, 43% (n = 147) endorsed both behaviors. Positive NSSI-related alcohol expectancies showed a significant association with lifetime NSSI. In addition, positive NSSI-related alcohol expectancies were associated with more frequent drinking behavior for individuals with a history of NSSI, particularly those who had engaged in two or more methods of lifetime NSSI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alcohol use and NSSI represent high-risk behaviors commonly employed to regulate unwanted affective states. Interventions targeting substance use and/or NSSI may consider assessing positive NSSI and substance use expectancies, as the presence of these beliefs suggests a higher risk profile.
authors: 1 Department of Psychology, Suffolk University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Stephanie M
authors: SM
authors: Jarvi
authors: 1 Department of Psychology, Suffolk University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Lance P
authors: LP
authors: Swenson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology; D000067292:Alcohol Drinking in College / Q000523:psychology*; D001290:Attitude; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: NSSI; alcohol expectancies; alcohol use; college students; risk behavior