Evaluations and expectancies of alcohol and marijuana problems among college students.

Abstract

Two studies examined the associations between evaluations (good-bad) and expected likelihood (likely-unlikely) of alcohol- and marijuana-related problems and hazardous consumption and problems among college students. Participants provided data on alcohol use, alcohol-related problems, and expectancies and evaluations of alcohol problems; marijuana use indices, marijuana-related problems, marijuana effect expectancies, and likelihood and evaluations of marijuana problems. Evaluations of alcohol problems were positively related to the number of binge drinking occasions and alcohol-related problems. The interaction between evaluations and expectancies was significant in predicting the number of binge drinking occasions. Expectancies demonstrated a curvilinear relationship with binge drinking and alcohol-related problems. Marijuana users evaluated marijuana-related problems as less negative and less likely to occur than did nonusers. Expectancies, but not evaluations, of negative consequences were significantly associated with marijuana use intensity. Expectancies of problems demonstrated a curvilinear relationship with marijuana-use intensity and marijuana problems. Men evaluated alcohol and marijuana problems less negatively than did women. In summary, the expected likelihood of alcohol-marijuana problems and the evaluation of such problems represent a vulnerability factor associated with increased liability for hazardous alcohol and marijuana use.

How Harmonious and Obsessive Passion for Alcohol and Marijuana Relate to Consumption and Negative Consequences

“…Moreover, marijuana users may be less likely to attribute problems to marijuana use, regardless of the nature of their passion. For instance, a study found that marijuana users perceived negative consequences of marijuana use as being less severe than nonusers did (Gaher & Simons, 2007). This belief is widely held, despite research that has demonstrated that excessive marijuana use can result in psychological dependence and produce a spectrum of withdrawal symptoms, including urges to use, insomnia, depression, anger, headaches, sweating, chills, and tremors (Budney et al, 2001;Jones, 1983).…”

Drugged Driving: Increased Traffic Risks Involving Licit and Illicit Substances

“…Despite the fact that cannabis use is associated with significant risk of motor vehicle crashes (Asbridge, Hayden, & Cartwright, 2012;Li, Brady, DiMaggio, Lusardi, Tzong, & Li, 2012), more than half of those who used cannabis and drove did not believe cannabis use increased safety risks (Swift, Jones, & Donnelly, 2010). In fact, cannabis is often viewed as the "least risky illicit drug" (Arterberry, Treloar, Smith, Martens, Pedersen, & McCarthy, 2012) and fewer consequences are expected by cannabis users (Gaher & Simons, 2007).…”

Heavy Episodic Drinking in College Females: An Exploration of Expectancies, Consequences, and Self-Efficacy

“…Positive expectancies about alcohol and what is experienced after its consumption have consistently shown an association with increased alcohol use among students (e.g., Baer, 2002;Cable & Sacker, 2008;Gaher & Simons, 2007). For female students, expectations about the positive effects of alcohol consumption significantly increase the likelihood that they will engage in alcohol use, HED, and encounter alcohol problems (Cable & Sacker, 2008;Fromme & D'Amico, 2000;Gaher, 2007;Morawska & Oei, 2005).…”

“…For female students, expectations about the positive effects of alcohol consumption significantly increase the likelihood that they will engage in alcohol use, HED, and encounter alcohol problems (Cable & Sacker, 2008;Fromme & D'Amico, 2000;Gaher, 2007;Morawska & Oei, 2005). For example, enjoyment expectancy (e.g., drinking to get drunk) was a much stronger predictor of frequent HED than less frequent HED (McCabe, 2002).…”