A field investigation of perceived behavioral control and blood alcohol content: A pattern-oriented approach

• Published in: Addictive behaviors 2013-04, Vol.38 (4), p.2080-2083
• Main Authors: Smith, Ryan C, Coyle, Patrick T, Baldner, Conrad, Bray, Bethany C, Geller, E. Scott
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Addictive behaviors; Alcohol; Alcohol use; Alcoholic Intoxication - blood; Alcoholic Intoxication - psychology; Blood alcohol content; Breath Tests; Cluster Analysis; College; Demographics; Drunkenness; Ethanol - analysis; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Female; Gender; Humans; Internal-External Control; Intervention; Male; Perceived behavioral control; Pilot Projects; Psychiatry; Psychometrics - instrumentation; Self Concept; Self Efficacy; Social Environment; Students - psychology; Students - statistics & numerical data; Theory of planned behavior; Universities
• ISSN: 0306-4603; 1873-6327
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.01.003

Abstract As the first field study of perceived behavioral control (PBC) to assess alcohol consumption with a physiological measure (i.e., blood alcohol content; BAC), the research examined the impact of intoxication on alcohol-specific PBC (APBC). In total, 665 passersby were recruited into the study at several late-night drinking locations near a large university campus. After answering questions regarding personal demographics and APBC, participants were administered a breath alcohol test (Lifeloc FC-20; ± .005 mL/L). The average BAC of drinking participants was .096 mL/L. A latent class analysis (LCA) was performed to classify participants based on APBC responses. Three classes emerged: high PBC , high controllability , and low controllability . Class membership varied as a function of gender and Greek-life membership. Blood alcohol content was a significant predictor of class membership. Results show a link between alcohol consumption and APBC that varies based on gender and Greek-life status. These findings are discussed with regard to their implications for a variety of prevention interventions.