Abstract

Alcohol use and problems increase during adolescence and peek in early adulthood. Tension reduction theories suggest that those high in anxiety sensitivity (AS) may be at risk for misusing alcohol for its anxiolytic effects. Cognitive theories point to drinking motives and alcohol expectancies as explanatory mechanisms of this risk pathway. The goal of the current study was to examine AS risk for prospective alcohol misuse, as explained by an unfolding cognitive process, among those transitioning out of ‘Collège d’enseignement general et professionnel’ (CEGEP). We hypothesized that AS, drinking for coping motives, tension reduction alcohol expectancies, and alcohol use and problems would be positively associated (across three time-points) at the ‘trait level’. Further, we hypothesized that AS would lead to a bidirectional and positive association between alcohol cognitions and outcomes at the ‘state level’. CEGEP students in their final year of study (N = 193 at baseline) completed 3 online questionnaires at 6-month intervals (third time point post-graduation). Confirmatory factor analyses were used to test measurement invariance of constructs (all but AS) across 3 time points, and state-trait modeling was used for hypothesis testing. Consistent with hypotheses, at the trait level, drinking motives and alcohol expectancies were positively associated, and alcohol problems were positively associated with drinking motives and sociability/liquid courage expectancies. At the state level, (1) AS was positively associated with cope motives, (2) positive expectancies were positively associated, and (3) enhancement motives were positively associated with sociability/liquid courage expectancies. The results suggest that AS is a risk factor for coping-motivated drinking, and that there is interplay between motives and expectancies that needs to be considered in understanding alcohol risk pathways in emerging adults.