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. 2011 Jun;25(2):352-7.
doi: 10.1037/a0023614.

Alcohol-related infractions among college students: associations with subsequent drinking as a function of sensitivity to punishment

Tyler B Wray  1 , Jeffrey S Simons, Robert D Dvorak
Affiliations

Alcohol-related infractions among college students: associations with subsequent drinking as a function of sensitivity to punishment

Tyler B Wray et al. Psychol Addict Behav. 2011 Jun.

Abstract

Problematic alcohol use on college campuses is a significant concern. Violations of campus alcohol policies can lead to disciplinary action from the university. These and other alcohol-related legal infractions may be a sign of significant alcohol-related problems. However, few studies have focused on determining predictors of alcohol-related infractions among college students. Likewise, the role of infractions in reducing future use is unclear. In the present study, we tested whether alcohol-related infractions were associated with decreased alcohol use, and whether the effect of the infraction varied as a function of initial drinking levels, sensitivity to punishment (SP), and sensitivity to reward (SR) in a 6-month prospective design. Alcohol use, grade point average, and SR were significantly associated with receiving an alcohol-related infraction. For heavier drinkers, receiving an infraction was associated with decreased drinking at follow-up, and this decrease was most pronounced among those with higher sensitivity to punishment. SP appeared to increase responsiveness to the infraction, resulting in greater attenuation of drinking at follow-up.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Zero-inflated negative binomial model (N = 1,599). Association between alcohol use at Time 1 and alcohol use at Time 2 as a function of sensitivity to punishment (SP) and receipt of an alcohol-related infraction at Time 1. T1 alcohol use (M = 14.96, SD = 13.61), T2 alcohol use (M = 14.35, SD = 13.27), and SP (M = 8.77, SD = 4.50) are centered at the mean.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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