The Role of Alcohol‐dependent Self‐statements on Drinking Behaviour in a Public Bar

Recent literature suggests that cognitions play a role in drinking behaviour. However, disagreement exists regarding which type of cognition is associated with drinking. This study tested the prediction of a positive relationship between alcohol‐dependent self‐statements and alcohol consumption in a public bar. Ten heavy, 10 light, and 10 non‐drinkers were administered the modified Alcohol Self‐statements Questionnaire which contains sets of alcohol‐dependent and alcohol non‐dependent self‐statements as well as factual and emotive self‐statements. Their self‐talk during drinking zvas also tape‐recorded and analysed. Subjects were tested half an hour before, and immediately before the commencement of drinking, and at 10‐minute intervals for the first half‐hour of a normal drinking session in a public bar. Each session lasted approximately one hour. The results revealed that heavy drinkers showed more alcohol‐dependent self‐statements than light drinkers who in turn showed significantly more alcohol‐dependent self‐statements than non‐drinkers. No significant differences between the groups were found on the factual or emotive self‐statements. Alcohol consumption during the testing period was significantly related to alcohol‐dependent self‐statements. The result of findings suggest (i) that alcohol‐related cognitions are associated with drinking behaviour and are relatively stable during drinking sessions, and (H) that there is a need for greater specificity in the definition of cognition in relation to a problem behaviour, in this case drinking behaviour. Copyrigh