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Examining the Relationship Between Alcohol‐Energy Drink Risk Profiles and High‐Risk Drinking Behaviors
Author(s) -
VarvilWeld Lindsey,
Marzell Miesha,
Turrisi Rob,
Mallett Kimberly A.,
Cleveland Michael J.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/acer.12102
Subject(s) - normative , psychology , psychological intervention , association (psychology) , environmental health , alcohol , social psychology , medicine , psychiatry , philosophy , biochemistry , chemistry , epistemology , psychotherapist
Background The mixing of alcohol and energy drinks ( AMED s) is a trend among college students associated with higher rates of heavy episodic drinking and negative alcohol‐related consequences. The goals of this study were to take a person‐centered approach to identify distinct risk profiles of college students based on AMED ‐specific constructs (expectancies, attitudes, and norms) and examine longitudinal associations between AMED use, drinking, and consequences. Methods A random sample of incoming freshmen ( n = 387, 59% female) completed measures of AMED use, AMED ‐specific expectancies, attitudes, and normative beliefs, and drinking quantity and alcohol‐related consequences. Data were collected at 2 occasions: spring semester of freshmen year and fall semester of sophomore year. Results Latent profile analysis identified 4 subgroups of individuals: occasional AMED , anti‐ AMED , pro‐ AMED , and strong peer influence . Individuals in the pro‐ AMED group reported the most AMED use, drinking, and consequences. There was a unique association between profile membership and AMED use, even after controlling for drinking. Conclusions Findings highlighted the importance of AMED ‐specific expectancies, attitudes, and norms. The unique association between AMED risk profiles and AMED use suggests AMED use is a distinct behavior that could be targeted by AMED ‐specific messages included in existing brief interventions for alcohol use.