An Evaluation of the Stress-Negative Affect Model in Explaining Alcohol Use in College and Adult Samples: The Role of Components of Negative Affect and Coping Style

The associations between stressors and patterns of alcohol use have been studied for their implications for the etiology of problematic alcohol use. Proponents of the stress-negative affect mediation model suggest that negative affect induced by stressors may drive alcohol use; however, researchers have only weakly supported the mediation model. The current study used a more comprehensive approach to evaluate the stress-negative affect model by investigating the unique mediation effects of specific components of negative affect (i.e., sadness, guilt, fear, and anger) in the context of different coping styles among adults and college students. It appears that stress-negative affect model does explain alcohol use among adults but not among college students. The pathways from negative life events to alcohol use among adults who primarily rely on approach coping strategies, but rarely use avoidant coping strategies (i.e., high approach-low avoidant group), appear to operate uniquely through sadness and anger. In contrast, among adults who rely more heavily on avoidant coping strategies, but moderately use approach coping strategies (i.e., moderate approach-moderate avoidant group), stress-induced alcohol use seems to occur due to guilt. Thus, stress-negative affect model may better explain drinking patterns of individuals with certain characteristics and operate through particular components of negative affect. Interventionists who aim to reduce stress-induced alcohol use should consider focusing on specific components of negative affect and at-risk groups in order to improve treatment outcomes