Developmental Differences Emerge in How Negative Consequences, Negative Expectancies, and Alcohol Use Relate Over Time.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Learning theories suggest an aversive learning process whereby negative consequences of alcohol use (AU) curtail drinking. Yet, the literature examining this prospective association is mixed. We aimed to clarify this aversive learning process by identifying how (mediators), for whom (moderators), and when (differences across development) such learning occurs. Negative alcohol expectancies were proposed as a mediator and sensitivity to punishment (SP) was proposed as a moderator. Negative consequences were hypothesized to lead to increases in negative expectancies and, in turn, reductions in AU. Associations were expected to be strongest at high SP. This proposed aversive learning pathway was estimated in adolescence (limited alcohol experience) and yo

SUBMITTER: Pereda B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12767266 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature