The relationship of alcohol consumption practices to leisure patterns and leisure-related alcohol expectancies

The links between alcohol consumption and leisure in our society have been pervasive and abiding. Individuals not only typically drink in their "free time," but they often drink to have a "good time." There is much evidence in the general alcohol expectancy literature that those individuals who do drink alcoholic beverages anticipate certain reinforcing consequences. However, the nature of the anticipated affects of alcohol on leisure experiences, in particular, has not been investigated. Additionally, there has been little research conducted on possible differences in leisure patterns among different levels of drinkers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the leisure patterns and leisure related alcohol expectancies of various levels of drinkers. Telephone interviews were conducted for 1006 individuals, and follow-up questionnaires were obtained from 145 of those subjects. The interviews focused on the leisure patterns of the subjects, and the mail questionnaires gathered information on leisure related alcohol expectancies. Results indicated that there were differences in leisure patterns among abstainers, light, and moderate/heavy drinkers. Further, the study found that individuals anticipate four primary outcomes in relation to leisure: (1) affective engagement, (2) self-acceptance and comfort, (3) disinhibition of behavior, and (4) disengagement from day to day life. Results also suggested that there are differences in leisure related alcohol expectancies between lighter and heavier drinkers. In addition, the findings indicated that the consequences that individuals anticipated from alcohol consumption are situation specific. That is, individuals do not expect that consuming alcohol will consistently affect them the same way in each situation in which they drink.U of I OnlyETDs are only available to UIUC Users without author permissio