Attention bias and alcohol craving: Differential effects via biological sex and mood

Abstract

Background Attentional bias (AB) has been linked to alcohol use, mood, and alcohol craving, with key differences across different types of mood and biological sex. However, further exploration of the role of AB across these alcohol variables is needed. The current study examined the relationship between mood and AB as predictors of alcohol craving using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Exploratory analysis examined these effects as a function of biological sex. Methods Participants (n = 69) from a Midwestern University carried a mobile device for 15 days and provided ratings of momentary mood (positive mood, anxious mood, and sad mood), alcohol craving, and AB. Data were analyzed using a two‐level multilevel regression model, with associations between craving, mood, and AB examined at both the momentary and between‐subjects levels. Results Across assessments, positive and negative moods were positively associated with momentary craving, with AB found to operate differently between men and women. At the within‐subjects level, increases in positive mood among men strengthened the AB‐craving association, while women showed stronger AB‐craving associations when positive mood decreased. At the between‐subjects level, trait‐like sadness led to positive AB‐craving associations for men, however, this was the opposite for women. Similarly, AB‐craving associations were positive and robust for men with trait‐like positive mood but again the opposite was observed for women. Conclusions The findings highlight the importance and nuances of biological sex in the context of mood, AB, and craving. Interventions targeting AB and/or emotion regulation may yield different outcomes for men and women.

Participant diversity in ACER: 2010–2022

“…RSA should continue their successful commitment to diversity in research participant populations and continue to advocate for diverse researchers. et al, 2020); attentional bias and mood predict alcohol craving differently between biological sexes (e.g., Moskal et al, 2022) Gender identity Percentage or number of reported gender identities; data collection should have separate items for gender identity and biological sex and allow self-identification. Badgett et al (2014) outline a recommended two-step approach using the following categories for the gender identity item: male, female, trans male/trans man, trans female/trans woman, genderqueer/gender non-conforming, different identities (please state).…”

Tell me how you feel, I will tell you what you look at: Impact of mood and craving on alcohol attentional bias in binge drinking

“…While no association was found between negative mood and AB, positive mood predicted increases in AB and alcohol use over the same day at within-person level. Moskal et al (2022) used a similar design with EMA for 15 days to investigate the role of alcohol AB (assessed by a visual probe task) as a craving predictor. They showed that AB-craving associations were stronger as momentary positive mood and trait-like sad mood increased among men and, on the contrary, decreased among women.…”