Drinking among college students is often motivated by social factors like approval from peers. In fact, some studies have shown that approval-contingent self-worth is positively associated with overall levels of alcohol consumption. College students may also use drinking as a method of coping with negative affect if they are concerned about their level of acceptance by peers. In addition, many studies have shown that college student report drinking more frequently with others than alone and tend to consume more alcohol during social settings. This study examines the effect of approval-contingent self-worth and belongingness needs on social versus alone consumption of alcohol.
The study’s sample consisted of 943 undergraduate college students who reported alcohol use at least twice during the past 30 days. Students completed a baseline survey then daily dairy surveys for 30 days. The baseline survey assessed self-esteem, approval-contingent self-worth, and drinking motives (coping, social, enhancement, and conformity). During the daily surveys participants were asked to report how many alcoholic beverages they consumed alone and with others during the previous night. Data was analyzed using PROCESS model 4 to assess for relationships been self-worth, drinking motives, and social consumption of alcohol.
Results of the data analysis showed approval-contingent self-worth was positively correlated with all four drinking motives but not social or solitary alcohol consumption. There were positive indirect effects between social alcohol use and approval-contingent self-worth through social and enhancement motives. On the other hand, there were negative indirect associations between approval-contingent self-worth and social alcohol consumption through coping motives. Drinking motives were associated with alcohol consumption alone and with others with the exception of conformity motives with social alcohol consumption. Self-esteem was negatively correlated with approval-contingent self-worth and with coping and conformity motivations.
Takeaway: Drinking motives may impact social and solitary consumption of alcohol among college students.