Relationship-Specific Alcohol Expectancies in Couples With Concordant and Discrepant Drinking Patterns

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Objective: Despite growing evidence that the marital problems typically attributed to heavy drinking are stronger for couples in which only one partner is a heavy drinker than in couples in which both partners are heavy drinkers, relatively little research has examined factors that may serve to maintain particular drinking confi gurations. The current research examines the association between the confi guration of partners' drinking and relationship-specifi c alcohol expectancies. Method: Data are from an ongoing prospective study examining the effect of alcohol on executive cognitive functioning. Participant couples (n = 251) represented one of four drinking groups: concordant heavy drinkers (n = 68), heavy drinking husband (n = 79), heavy drinking wife (n = 35), and concordant abstainers/light drinkers (n = 69). As part of the study, participant couples completed a measure of relationshipspecific alcohol expectancies through the mail. Results: Analyses reveal that wives demonstrate greater intimacy/openness expectancies in the concordant heavy drinking group than in the other three groups, as predicted. Unexpectedly, husbands demonstrate greater intimacy/ openness expectancies if either member of the couple is a heavy drinker. Additionally, couples reported stronger sexual enhancement, power/assertion, and social pleasure/fun expectancies when the wife was a heavy drinker and stronger power/assertion expectancies when the husband was a heavy drinker. Conclusions: Relationship-specifi c alcohol expectancies are differentially associated with the confi guration of partners' drinking patterns. Wives' drinking status appears to infl uence relationship-specifi c alcohol expectancies to a greater extent than husbands' drinking status. Additional research is needed to determine the long-term effect of these associations. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 71, 761-768, 2010)

Prevalence and associated factors with alcohol use disorders among adults: a population-based study in southern Brazil

“…These data are similar to a study conducted in Alberta, Canada 37 and in Russia 38 . In general, a stable relationship has been associated with better health conditions 39 and a decrease in alcohol use disorders is also observed in older relationships 40 . According to Leonard 41 transition to a stable relationship can cause a decrease in alcohol use in the same way that divorce can trigger abusive use of this substance.…”

“…According to Leonard 41 transition to a stable relationship can cause a decrease in alcohol use in the same way that divorce can trigger abusive use of this substance. Among men, alcohol consumption is also observed to be lower for individuals in stable relationships, so, marital status could be a protective factor [39][40] . In consistency with the literature, this study found an association between alcohol use disorders and use of tobacco.…”

Early Adolescent Substance Use as a Risk Factor for Developing Conduct Disorder and Depression Symptoms

“…In a longitudinal study of married couples, Leonard and Mudar (2004) found that husbands' infl uence on wives' drinking over the fi rst year of marriage was greater among wives who had stronger positive expectancies (i.e., a composite of intimacy/openness, social pleasure/fun, and sexual-enhancement expectancies). In addition, in a cross-sectional examination of married couples, Derrick et al (2010) showed that wives in couples in which both members drank heavily reported stronger intimacy expectancies compared with heavy drinking husbands and couples of other drinking types. Finally, in a study of women only, Kelly et al (2002) found that women who were problem drinkers and/or in a distressed relationship reported greater expectancies for increased intimacy and relationship effi cacy effects compared with women who were not problem drinkers or in distressed relationships.…”

“…Research indicates that certain relationship drinking contexts, particularly drinking with one's partner (vs. drinking apart), appear to be adaptive mechanisms for relationship functioning in that they are associated with greater intimacy and relationship satisfaction and fewer relationship problems (Homish and Leonard, 2005;Levitt and Cooper, 2010). A growing literature shows that couple members hold relationshipspecifi c alcohol expectancies (RSAE) that refl ect beliefs about the likelihood of alcohol's effects on distinct relationship domains (e.g., increased intimacy) that are associated with relationship drinking behaviors (Derrick et al, 2010;Leonard and Mudar, 2004;Levitt and Leonard, 2013). This research supports motivational theories of alcohol use (e.g., Cooper et al, in press;Cox and Klinger, 1988) including a relationship motivation model (Leonard and Mudar, 2004), which posits that alcohol use in romantic relationships is motivated by relationship-specifi c factors and is associated with relationship-specifi c consequences.…”

College Student Dating Partner Drinking Profiles: Differences in Relationship Functioning and Relationship-Specific Alcohol Expectancies

“…More positive alcohol expectancies, or an individual’s beliefs about the effects of alcohol, predict heavier alcohol consumption (see Jones, Corbin, & Fromme, 2001 for a review; Leonard & Homish, 2008). Relationship-specific alcohol expectancies address one’s beliefs about the effects of drinking on their romantic relationship (e.g., Derrick, Leonard, Quigley, Houston, Testa, & Kubiak, 2010; Leonard & Mudar, 2004; Levitt, Derrick, & Testa, 2014; Levitt & Leonard, 2013). These types of expectancies include believing that drinking will lead to greater intimacy/openness, social pleasure/fun, sexual enhancement, or power/assertion in their relationship.…”