Caffeinated alcohol consumption profiles and associations with use severity and outcome expectancies

Abstract

Growing evidence suggests that the consumption of caffeinated alcoholic beverages (CAB) may be riskier than alcohol alone. Efforts to identify patterns of CAB use and the correlates of such drinking patterns could further our conceptualization of and intervention for this health issue. Consequently, the current study aimed to (1) identify distinct classes of CAB users, (2) examine differences between classes on measures of alcohol and caffeine problems, and (3) compare distinct classes of CAB users on caffeine and alcohol outcome expectancies. Participants were 583 (31% men) undergraduate students from a psychology research pool. Latent profile analysis models were derived using four indicators: CAB use quantity, CAB use frequency, alcohol use quantity, and alcohol use frequency. Finding revealed four classes of drinkers: High Alcohol/High CAB (6.00%), High Alcohol/Moderate CAB (5.15%), High Alcohol/Low CAB (22.99%), and Low Alcohol/Low CAB (65.87%). The Low Alcohol/Low CAB class reported the lowest relative levels of caffeine dependence symptoms, caffeine withdrawal, alcohol use problems, and heavy episodic drinking frequency. Further, results indicated differential expectancy endorsement based on use profiles. CAB users in the High Alcohol/Low CAB class endorsed more positive alcohol expectancies than the Low Alcohol/Low CAB group. Those in the High Alcohol/High CAB class endorsed stronger withdrawal symptoms caffeine expectancies than all other classes. Inclusion of substance-specific expectancies into larger theoretical frameworks in future work of CAB use may be beneficial. Findings may inform intervention efforts for those at greatest risk related to CAB consumption.

Music Academic Performance: Effect of Intrinsic Motivation and Critical Thinking // Rendimiento académico en Música: efecto de la motivación intrínseca y el pensamiento crítico

“…Regarding the limitations of this work, we note that, although mixed structural equation models help to explain or detect influences in variables such as academic performance (Berlin, Williams, & Parra, 2014;Lau-Barraco, Milletich, & Linden, 2014), the categorization or establishment of groups or clusters of continuous variables can lead to a loss of information, although it allows understanding more clearly the influence of a variable, as observed in this study. In this sense, this technique of data analysis shows that, in subjects who critically analyze less class contents and who have worse academic performance, the relationship between these variables is greater.…”

Caffeinated and non-caffeinated alcohol use and indirect aggression: The impact of self-regulation

“…Regarding alcohol consumption, participants reported the number of non-caffeinated alcoholic drinks typically consumed each day during a typical week over the previous three months. A separate, modified DDQ asked about typical CAB use (e.g., Red Bull and vodka, rum and Coke) during a typical week (e.g., Lau-Barraco & Linden, 2014; Lau-Barraco, Milletich, & Linden, 2014). The DDQ has adequate convergent validity with self-report measures of alcohol-related problems (Collins, Bradizza, & Vincent, 2007; Collins, Koutsky, & Izzo, 2000; Collins & Lapp, 1992).…”

Alcohol mixed with energy drinks are robustly associated with patterns of problematic alcohol consumption among young adult college students

“…While no other information (including significance tests) was provided in their study, it provides an impetus for suggesting that there may be a connection between AmED consumption and patterns of alcohol dependence. A more recent study by Lau-Barraco, Milletich, and Linden (2013) examined caffeinated alcoholic beverages (CABs) and alcohol severity (defined by Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test [AUDIT] scores greater than 8). Lau- Barraco et al (2013) divided participants into low/high groups in terms of alcohol use and CAB use.…”

“…A more recent study by Lau-Barraco, Milletich, and Linden (2013) examined caffeinated alcoholic beverages (CABs) and alcohol severity (defined by Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test [AUDIT] scores greater than 8). Lau- Barraco et al (2013) divided participants into low/high groups in terms of alcohol use and CAB use. Their analysis found that high CAB/high alcohol consumers had significantly higher AUDIT scores than their low alcohol/low CAB group.…”