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. 2017 Jan:64:107-110.
doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.08.038. Epub 2016 Sep 1.

Overestimation of close friend drinking problems in the prediction of one's own drinking problems

Anthony H Ecker  1 , Alex S Cohen  2 , Julia D Buckner  3
Affiliations

Overestimation of close friend drinking problems in the prediction of one's own drinking problems

Anthony H Ecker et al. Addict Behav. 2017 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Overestimation of the amount that other students drink is related to alcohol-related problems. Although beliefs concerning students' friends tend to be stronger predictors of drinking than beliefs regarding students generally, little research has focused on overestimation of friends' drinking-related problems.

Objectives: Test hypotheses that students overestimate a close friend's drinking-related problems and that such overestimation would relate to more frequent drinking and related problems.

Method: Participant/Friend pairs (N=55) completed online measures of drinking-related beliefs and behaviors.

Results: Participants overestimated the alcohol-related problem severity experienced by their friends. Greater overestimation of friends' problems was related to greater participant alcohol-related problems and binge drinking.

Conclusions/importance: Cognitive distortions regarding a friend's drinking-related behaviors may be useful therapeutic targets.

Keywords: Alcohol-related problems; College drinking; Drinking motives; Perceived norms.

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References

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