The nomological network of drinker identity: A scoping review

Abstract

Background: Despite the growing interest in the construct of drinker identity and empirical evidence for its role in drinking behavior, there is a paucity of papers that evaluate and integrate the results of studies on drinker identity, leaving a gap in our knowledge of the importance of the drinker identity construct. The current paper addresses this gap by reviewing and integrating the results of the studies of drinker identity.

Methods: The scoping review identified, retrieved, and evaluated the existing literature regarding drinker identity. English language studies from EBSCOHost, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases were reviewed. Studies were included in the review if they were data-based studies or theoretical publications with drinker identity as the primary topic published in peer-reviewed journals. Studies were reviewed and coded based on their reported methodology and findings and codes were used to integrate and present findings.

Results: This review advances this line of research in four ways. First, the operationalization of drinker identity is evaluated by examining the theoretical frameworks defining the construct. Second, the conceptualization and measurement of drinker identity is assessed, with suggestions for future measurement research. Third, an integrated framework of predictors, outcomes, moderators, and mediators is presented. Finally, the research gaps, future recommendations, and clinical implications are discussed.

Conclusions: There is a need for continued research, specifically research which aims to standardize and improve measurement of drinker identity, considers longitudinal and developmental processes, and broadens the research samples and settings.

Keywords: Drinker identity; Drinker self-concept; Nomological network; Scoping review.

Figure 1.. PRISMA Flowchart

Figure 2.

Graphical representation of nomological network of drinker identity. Symbols in parentheses indicate the direction of the relationship and superscript numbers indicate how many times that relationship was found across the studies, n.s. = non-significant, + = positive, − = negative. Other abbreviations: QoL = Quality of life, SNS = Social networking sites, HED = Heavy episodic drinking, AUD = Alcohol use disorder, AA = Alcoholics Anonymous, SES = Socioeconomic status

Figure 3.

Schematic representing integrative drinker identity model, adapted and integrated from models proposed by Domenico et al., 2017, Hertel et al., 2019, and Meca et al., 2020.