Citation

Otten R, Cladder-Micus MB, Pouwels L, Hennig M, Schuurmans AAT, Hermans RC. Addiction 2014; 109(5): 746-753.

Affiliation

Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/add.12446

PMID

24325574

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The self-control strength model suggests that exertion of self-control leads to poorer subsequent self-control performance. Failure of self-control has been suggested as an important underlying mechanism of excessive drinking. This study tested the effects of self-control failure on ad-lib drinking, and the potential moderating role of glucose and self-awareness on this relationship. DESIGN: The current research examined in two experiments whether the effects of self-control failure were different for males and females, and whether glucose (Experiment 1) and self-awareness (Experiment 2) would counteract the effects of self-control failure. A between-participants design with four conditions was employed in each experiment. SETTING: A semi-naturalistic drinking setting in the form of a laboratory bar. PARTICIPANTS: Undergraduate students recruited at Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands (Experiment 1: N = 106; Experiment 2: N = 108). MEASUREMENTS: The total amount of alcohol consumed during an experimental break (observational data) and questionnaire data on drinking patterns. FINDINGS: Self-control failure led to increased levels of drinking in males (p < 0.05), whereas females drank less after being depleted (p < 0.01). Self-awareness, but not glucose, was found to counteract the effects of self-control failure among males (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Self-control failure leads to increased drinking of alcohol in males and decreased levels of drinking alcohol in females. However, increasing self-awareness appears to be a promising strategy in facing the temptation to drink when cognitive resources to inhibit intake are low.

Language: en