Self-regulation and alcohol use involvement: A latent class analysis

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Dorian Lamis, Emory University; Nicholas J. Kuvaas, North Dakota State University; Robert D. Dvorak, North Dakota State University; Matthew R. Pearson, University of New Mexico; Emily M. Sargent, North Dakota State University
• Language: English
• Date: 2014-01-01
• Publisher: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.09.020
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Addictive Behaviors
• Volume: 39
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 146
• End Page: 152
• Keywords: Substance Abuse; HARVARD SCHOOL; Social Sciences; ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE USE; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Science & Technology; MODEL; HEALTH; Latent class analysis; USE MOTIVES; DECISION-MAKING; DISTRESS TOLERANCE; Self-regulation; Psychology, Clinical; BINGE DRINKING; Psychology; RISKY BEHAVIOR; IMPULSIVITY
• Research Categories: Psychology, Behavioral; Psychology, Clinical

Abstract

Although alcohol use can be problematic, research suggests considerable heterogeneity in problems across various drinking classes; particularly among the heaviest drinking groups. Differences in self-regulation may differentiate drinking classes. The current study evaluated differences in emotional and behavioral self-regulation across four empirically derived drinking classes. Participants (n=1895 college students) completed online measures of demographics, alcohol involvement, and self-regulation. Using latent class analysis (LCA), four drinking classes were empirically derived. Moderate drinkers were the largest class (38.1%) followed by light drinkers (37.4%), heavy drinkers (17.8%), and problem drinkers (6.8%). Each class was predicted by self-regulation indicators in the LCA. With the exception of urgency, behavioral self-regulation distinguished primarily between light drinkers and the other three classes. Emotional self-regulation and urgency were not associated with use, but did distinguish among the most problematic class. Specifically, emotional instability and urgency were higher in the problem use class than all other classes. Overall, the findings suggest important differences in behavioral and emotional self-regulation across drinking classes that differentially contribute to use and consequences. Further, the results highlight the importance of examining homogenous subpopulations of drinkers that may differ on indices other than consumption.