Abstract
Previous research has demonstrated significant relationships between metacognition and problem drinking. In this study, we aimed to investigate further these relationships by testing the fit of a meta-cognitive model of problem drinking in a sample of 174 problem drinkers from a university student population. In the model presented, it is proposed that positive metacognitive beliefs about alcohol use and negative affect lead to alcohol use as a means of affect regulation. Positive metacognitive beliefs about alcohol use are also associated with a reduction in metacognitive monitoring which further contributes to alcohol use. Once alcohol use is initiated it brings a disruption in metacognitive monitoring leading to a continuation in drinking. Following a drinking episode, alcohol use is appraised as both uncontrollable and dangerous, which in turn strengthens negative metacognitive beliefs about alcohol use. These beliefs are associated with an escalation of negative affect, which acts as a trigger for further drinking. The specified relationships among these variables were examined by testing the fit of a path model. Results of this analysis indicated a good model fit consistent with predictions. The conceptual and clinical implications of these data are discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 383-393 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 28 May 2009 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Spada, M.M. and Wells, A. (2009), A metacognitive model of problem drinking. Clin. Psychol. Psychother., 16: 383-393., which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.620. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.Keywords
- Alcohol use
- Attention
- Metacognition
- Metacognitive model
- Negative affect
- Problem drinking
