The Effects of Stress, Alcohol Outcome Expectancies, Gender, Coping St
The Effects of Stress, Alcohol Outcome Expectancies, Gender, Coping Styles, and
Family Alcoholism on Alcohol Consumption
Research Proposal by Josh Robbins 100-928-594 November 26, 1996 Economics 143
Abstract
One large component of American popular culture today is alcohol. A common stereotype for the effects of alcohol is that as a drug it acts as a stress antagonist. This theory was introduced by Conger (1956) as the Tension
Reduction Hypothesis (TRW). It states that alcohol's sedative action on the central nervous system serves to reduce tension, and because tension reduction is reinforcing, people drink to escape it (Marlatt & Rehsenow, 1980). Why do we drink, when do we drink, and how much do we drink? This research will determine the correlation between total weekly consumption of alcohol and perceived stress, alcohol outcome expectancies, gender, coping styles, and family history of alcoholism among undergraduate students. Do people drink more or less when stressed? Do alcohol outcome expectancies lead to higher or lower consumption?
Is a history of family alcoholism positively or negatively correlated to personal consumption? Do the tested variables play mediating or moderating roles in stress-related drinking? This research will determine the answers to these questions, and determine the strength of the correlations, if any.
Introduction
The main question that this statistical model will answer is as follows:
Is there any correlation between drinking and gender, alcohol expectancies, family alcoholism, stress, and coping styles?
Gender It has been demonstrated that significant differences exist between the drinking patterns of men and women (Hilton, 1988). In a survey of US drinking habits conducted in 1988 by the US National Center for Health Statistics, Dawson and Archer (1992) showed that there are three areas illustrating gender differences. The first is the actual number of male and female
Family Alcoholism on Alcohol Consumption
Research Proposal by Josh Robbins 100-928-594 November 26, 1996 Economics 143
Abstract
One large component of American popular culture today is alcohol. A common stereotype for the effects of alcohol is that as a drug it acts as a stress antagonist. This theory was introduced by Conger (1956) as the Tension
Reduction Hypothesis (TRW). It states that alcohol's sedative action on the central nervous system serves to reduce tension, and because tension reduction is reinforcing, people drink to escape it (Marlatt & Rehsenow, 1980). Why do we drink, when do we drink, and how much do we drink? This research will determine the correlation between total weekly consumption of alcohol and perceived stress, alcohol outcome expectancies, gender, coping styles, and family history of alcoholism among undergraduate students. Do people drink more or less when stressed? Do alcohol outcome expectancies lead to higher or lower consumption?
Is a history of family alcoholism positively or negatively correlated to personal consumption? Do the tested variables play mediating or moderating roles in stress-related drinking? This research will determine the answers to these questions, and determine the strength of the correlations, if any.
Introduction
The main question that this statistical model will answer is as follows:
Is there any correlation between drinking and gender, alcohol expectancies, family alcoholism, stress, and coping styles?
Gender It has been demonstrated that significant differences exist between the drinking patterns of men and women (Hilton, 1988). In a survey of US drinking habits conducted in 1988 by the US National Center for Health Statistics, Dawson and Archer (1992) showed that there are three areas illustrating gender differences. The first is the actual number of male and female
References: Carver, C. S., Scheier, M. F., & Weintraub, J. K. (1989). Assessing coping strategies: A theoretically based approach Psychology, 56, 267-283. Christiansen, B. A., Goldman, M. S., & Inn, A. (1982). (1983). A global measure of perceived stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 24, 385-396 H. W., & Rahe, R. H. (1981). Occupational stress and variation in cigarette, coffee, and alcohol consumption 155-165. Dawson, D. A., & Archer, L. (1992). Gender differences in alcohol consumption: Effects of measurement Hilton, M. E. (1988). Trends in US drinking patterns: Further evidence from the past 20 years Rohsenow, D. J. (1980). Cognitive processes in alcohol use: Expectancy and the balanced placebo design