Alcohol use on college campuses is prevalent, with up to 91% of college men and 80% of college women reporting consumption at least once per month. Around half of these students participate in high risk drinking which can increase their risk of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), injuries, and premature death. One factor that may influence high risk drinking behaviors is impulsivity. The UPPS model identifies five factors related to impulsivity: negative urgency (reckless actions as a result of negative emotion), lack of premedication, lack of perseverance, sensation seeking, and positive urgency (reckless actions while in a good mood). This study examines the potential effect of positive urgency, drinking preoccupation, and consumption patterns on alcohol-related problems.  

The study’s sample consisted of 756 college students from a large, public university who completed an online survey. Positive urgency was assessed using a shortened version of the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale which analyzed the extent to which students acted carelessly while in a positive mood. Drinking preoccupation was assessed using a 5 point scale that identified triggers for alcohol consumption. Alcohol consumption was addressed by asking participants how many days out of the past 30 days have they had more than one drink. Lastly, alcohol-related problems were assessed using a shortened version of Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index (S-RAPI). Data was analyzed using linear regressions to evaluate for potential relationships between variables  

Results of the data analysis showed that positive urgency positively predicted drinking preoccupation. Alcohol consumption was also a predictor for drinking preoccupation. A relationship was identified between positive urgency and alcohol-related problems and this relationship was influenced by drinking preoccupation. Lastly, it was found that the positive relationship between drinking preoccupation and alcohol-related problems increased as number of consumption days increased.  

Takeaway:  Evaluating positive urgency, drinking preoccupation, and consumption patterns may provide predictive value when assessing for alcohol-related problems in college students.  

Regan, T., Harris, B., McCredie, M., Fields, S.. Positive Urgency, Drinking Preoccupation, and Alcohol Problems in College Students [published online ahead of print, 2022 Mar 2]. Substance Use and Misuse. 2022;1-7. doi:10.1080/10826084.2022.2046093