Exploring associations between drinking contexts and alcohol consumption: An analysis of photographs

Ariss, Talia

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/121289 Copy

Description

Title

Exploring associations between drinking contexts and alcohol consumption: An analysis of photographs

Author(s)

Ariss, Talia

Issue Date

2023-04-11

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Fairbairn, Catharine E

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Fairbairn, Catharine E

Committee Member(s)

• Kwapil, Thomas R
• Berenbaum, Howard
• Allen, Nicole E
• Bosch, Nigel

Department of Study

Psychology

Discipline

Psychology

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• Addiction
• Drinking Context
• Alcohol Consumption
• Ambulatory Study
• Transdermal Alcohol Monitors

Language

eng

Abstract

There is a growing consensus among addiction scientists that drinking contexts are critical to understanding alcohol consumption patterns. However, prior research on drinking contexts has been limited in its scope and focuses on specific individual features of contexts while ignoring others. This project leverages innovative ambulatory technology, including the use of photographs and ankle-worn transdermal alcohol monitors, to explore the relationship between features of drinking contexts and peak levels of intoxication achieved over the course of a drinking episode. This work also examines the moderating effect of problem drinking on the relationship between drinking contexts and intoxication. Results indicated that drinking at a bar or club, in colored neon lit venues, settings featuring alcohol bottles on display, and in those featuring activities such as dancing and drinking games were associated with the highest peak intoxication levels. Furthermore, the higher the number of individuals in attendance, and the higher the number of drinks actively being consumed in these contexts, the heavier the alcohol consumption. Lastly, timing considerations including evening drinking, drinking on the weekends, and drinking in times of celebration were all associated with the highest peak intoxication levels. Results yielded little evidence of systematic differences in these contextual effects across individuals with divergent problem severity levels. This work speaks to the importance of “zooming-out” beyond the individual to consider how contextual characteristics predict consumption. Furthermore, this research carries important methodological implications insofar as it provides a proof of concept for the use of novel technology for the examination of real-world drinking contexts to better inform mechanisms of risk and maintenance for AUD.

Graduation Semester

2023-08

Type of Resource

Thesis

Handle URL

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/121289

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2023, Talia Ariss

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