Exploring the relationships between self-descriptive and behavioural correlates of personality in the drinking behaviour of young adults

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Title: Exploring the relationships between self-descriptive and behavioural correlates of personality in the drinking behaviour of young adults
Author(s): Noveloso, Alvin P.
Abstract: The purpose of the current study was to explore the personality correlates that underlie the problematic drinking patterns of young adults, by employing a multimodal approach to examine the relationship between personality and alcohol use. The sample comprised 72 Victorian university students, with 19 males and 53 females (M = 20.57 years, SD = 2.68). The current study was divided into two phases; firstly, participants completed an online questionnaire assessing personality styles, alcohol use, and psychological distress, whilst the second phase consisted of a behavioural risk-task (Balloon Analogue Risk-Task; BART). As hypothesised, whilst controlling for psychological distress; impulsivity, sensation-seeking, and reward sensitivity were significantly higher in hazardous, than non-hazardous drinkers. However, risk-taking propensity as indexed by performance on the BART did not significantly differ across drinking behaviour. Based upon the findings of Lejuez et al. (2003a), a logistical regression was performed to analyse ability of a behavioural and self-report measures to predict drinking behaviour status (i.e., hazardous versus non-hazardous). The findings demonstrated that the four personality measures correctly predicted 72% of all cases (22% better than chance alone). However, the results showed that sensation-seeking was the only significant predictor of hazardous drinking styles. Conclusions were discussed in context of future research and implications of the current study.
Publication type: Thesis (Honours)
Research centre: Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Life and Social Sciences
Publication year: 2006
Thesis Supervisor: [Knowles, Simon R.]
Thesis Note: [Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Post-Graduate Diploma in Psychology, Swinburne University of Technology, October 2006.]
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