Stressful life events and alcohol problems among women seen at a detoxication center.

A self-awareness model of the causes and effects of alcohol consumption.

“…Much of the literature investigating when people drink appears to support this hypothesis that links alcohol consumption to selfevaluative reactions rather than a nonspecific tension state. Thus, contrary to the general anxiety reduction hypothesis, Higgins and Marlatt (1973) found that threat of shock did not increase alcohol consumption and Morrissey and Schuckit (1978) failed to find a relation between stressful life events (e.g., a death in the family) and increased alcohol consumption. Consistent with the present analysis of alcohol consumption as a strategic attempt to reduce self-aware processing of information regarding personal performances, Hershenson (1965) found that "self-related" stress (e.g., "When personal problems seem to be more than you can handle"; "When something happens that makes you feel like two cents") was a more important predictor of drinking behavior than was either interpersonal or work related stress.…”

Life events and substance use among adolescents: Mediating effects of perceived loss of control and meaninglessness in life.

“…For many years alcohol and other drugs have been used to relieve the distress caused by the experience of traumatic and disruptive life events. Recent controlled research has confirmed these anecdotal observations that stressful life events frequently result in increased substance use (e.g., Headlam, Goldsmith, Hanenson, & Rauh, 1979;Morrissey & Schuckit, 1978;Newcomb, Huba, & Bentler, in press-b;Penk et al, 1981;Roberts et al, 1982;Sadava, Thistle, & Forsyth, 1978). The nature of the stressor can be as catastrophic as the Vietnam war (e.g., Foy, Sipprelle, Rueger, & Carroll, 1984;Penk et al, 1981;Roberts etal., 1982;Robins, 1978), where alcohol, cannabis, and opiate use was epidemic, or as commonplace as the trauma of a divorce or the death of a close friend or family member (e.g., Bruns & Geist, 1984;Headlam et al, 1979;Morrissey & Schuckit, 1978;Sadava et al, 1978).…”

“…Recent controlled research has confirmed these anecdotal observations that stressful life events frequently result in increased substance use (e.g., Headlam, Goldsmith, Hanenson, & Rauh, 1979;Morrissey & Schuckit, 1978;Newcomb, Huba, & Bentler, in press-b;Penk et al, 1981;Roberts et al, 1982;Sadava, Thistle, & Forsyth, 1978). The nature of the stressor can be as catastrophic as the Vietnam war (e.g., Foy, Sipprelle, Rueger, & Carroll, 1984;Penk et al, 1981;Roberts etal., 1982;Robins, 1978), where alcohol, cannabis, and opiate use was epidemic, or as commonplace as the trauma of a divorce or the death of a close friend or family member (e.g., Bruns & Geist, 1984;Headlam et al, 1979;Morrissey & Schuckit, 1978;Sadava et al, 1978). Stressful experience with its attendant discomfort and disequilibrium and the resultant use of alcohol and other substances may also arise from eco-nomic hardship (e.g., Pearlin & Radabaugh, 1976), being born an ethnic minority in a racially repressive society (e.g., Kleinman & Lukoff, 1978), specific occupations, such as law enforcement (e.g., Nordlicht, 1979), and having to deal with chronic pain (e.g., Maruta, Swanson, & Finlayson, 1979).…”

Cigarette Use by Turkish Adolescents and Its Links to Strain, Depression, and Anger

“…For instance, losing a loved one or losing one’s customary good health (both are “positively valued stimuli” in Agnew’s theory) can provoke feelings of powerlessness over one’s environment and of loss of the sense of meaning in life (Abramson, Seligman, & Teasdale, 1978). Some individuals perceive substance use to relieve the stress of such emotions and to facilitate postponement of the experience of frustration (Bruns & Geist, 1984; Headlam, Goldsmith, Hanenson, & Rauh, 1979; Morrissey & Schuckit, 1978; Newcomb & Harlow, 1986; Newcomb et al, 1986; Penk et al, 1981; Sadava, Thistle, & Forsyth, 1978; Sher & Levenson, 1982).…”