WITHDRAWN: Impulsivity, Drinking Games and Negative Alcohol Outcomes: The Role of Premeditation and Sensation Seeking

While the Five-Factor Model (FFM) of personality has been shown to predict risk-taking behaviors, specific facets of the model that increase the risk of negative outcomes have yet to be studied. White and Lynam (2001) proposed a theory of impulsivity which includes 4 traits based on the FFM (Costa & McCrae, 1992), namely premeditation, urgency, sensation seeking, and perseverance. They argued that these traits represent distinct pathways to impulsive and risky behaviors.

A drinking game (DG) is a high-risk, social drinking activity that has certain rules designed to promote intoxication and requires participants to perform a cognitive and/or motor task (Zamboanga et al., 2013). DGs are unlike other high-risk drinking activities (e.g., prepartying) because by following the rules, certain players may be targeted to drink more than others, leading to their more rapid intoxication. DGs in particular can contribute to problematic alcohol use among college students.

We collected a sample of 1,341 Filipino college students who have consumed alcohol for the past month (55% Female, M_age=19, SD_age=1.55). They answered the UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale to measure impulsivity (Whiteside & Lynam, 2001), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test to measure alcohol consumption, alcohol dependence, and alcohol problems (Saunders et al., 1993) and were also asked the frequency of DG participation, the amount of alcohol they consume during DGs and the level of intoxication they have experienced during DGs.

Using structural equation modeling with latent variables we tested whether the four impulsivity factors predicted engagement in DGs indexed by participation, amount of alcohol consumed, and intoxication during DGs. We also tested whether engagement in DGs mediated the relationship between factors of impulsivity and negative outcome consequences. The model fit the data adequately. Analysis of the individual paths showed that only premeditation and sensation seeking significantly predicted engagement in DGs. Engagement in DGs significantly predicted all negative alcohol consequences. The indirect effects of premeditation and sensation seeking on all negative alcohol consequences through engagement in DGs were significant. Premeditation decreased engagement in DGs which lowered the risk for increase alcohol consumption, alcohol dependence and alcohol problems. Sensation seeking on the other hand increased engagement in DGs which resulted in higher risk for increased alcohol consumption, alcohol dependence and alcohol problems.

College clinical practitioners aside from routinely looking at the FFM could look further by assessing impulsivity specifically premeditation and sensation seeking as they can be risk factors for risky alcohol behaviors and negative alcohol outcomes. Information from this study can guide practitioners as they engage individuals and groups in discussions about how college students can develop premeditation and regulate sensation seeking to avoid increased risk for DGs participation and negative alcohol outcomes. In closing, the present study contributes to our understanding of the differential effects specific facets of impulsivity to DGs participation among Filipino college students.