Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2013

DOI

10.1037/a0028818

Publication Title

Psychology of Addictive Behaviors

Volume

27

Issue

1

Pages

81-89

Abstract

In the present study, we examined whether use of protective behavioral strategies mediated the relationship between self-control constructs and alcohol-related outcomes. According to the two-mode model of self-control, good self-control (planfulness; measured with Future Time Perspective, Problem Solving, and Self-Reinforcement) and poor regulation (impulsivity; measured with Present Time Perspective, Poor Delay of Gratification, Distractibility) are theorized to be relatively independent constructs rather than opposite ends of a single continuum. The analytic sample consisted of 278 college student drinkers (68% women) who responded to a battery of surveys at a single time point. Using a structural equation model based on the two-mode model of self-control, we found that good self-control predicted increased use of three types of protective behavioral strategies (Manner of Drinking, Limiting/Stopping Drinking, and Serious Harm Reduction). Poor regulation was unrelated to use of protective behavioral strategies, but had direct effects on alcohol use and alcohol problems. Further, protective behavioral strategies mediated the relationship between good self-control and alcohol use. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Comments

NOTE: This is the author's manuscript version of a work that was published in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. The final version was published as:

Pearson, M. R., Kite, B. A., & Henson, J. M. (2013). Predictive effects of good self-control and poor regulation on alcohol-related outcomes: Do protective behavioral strategies mediate? Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 27(1), 81-89. doi:10.1037/a0028818

Original Publication Citation

Pearson, M. R., Kite, B. A., & Henson, J. M. (2013). Predictive effects of good self-control and poor regulation on alcohol-related outcomes: Do protective behavioral strategies mediate? Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 27(1), 81-89. doi:10.1037/a0028818

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