Perceived Risk of Alcohol as A Predictor of Alcohol Consumption; Differences in Gender and Smokers

Callaghan, Claire (2021) Perceived Risk of Alcohol as A Predictor of Alcohol Consumption; Differences in Gender and Smokers. Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Aims: Rates of alcohol consumption are increasingly high in Ireland, and two thirds of males engage in binge drinking regularly. Approximately 1,000 alcohol-related deaths occur annually, placing a significant burden on our human health. The present study sought to provide a greater understanding of perceived risk of alcohol consumption and examine gender differences. This study aimed to explore a gap in the literature, investigating whether concurrent smokers and drinkers have lower perceived risk of alcohol use than alcohol only consumers.

Method: A questionnaire was administered to participants (n = 159) through social media on smoking behaviour, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and Alcohol-Related Risk Perception.

Results: Alcohol consumption predicted perceived own vulnerability and peer vulnerability to alcohol, explaining 27% and 26% of the variance. Males were shown to have lower affective risk perception than females. Smokers were shown to have significantly lower perceived own vulnerability and peer vulnerability to alcohol than non-smokers.

Conclusions: Concurrent alcohol and tobacco use can lead to underestimation of the harmful effects of alcohol use and demonstrates the need for future longitudinal research. The HSE should publish guidelines on the dangers of misleading risk perceptions of alcohol, and alcohol intervention approaches for men should tackle improving perceived risk.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman > Gender
Divisions:	School of Business > BA (Honours) in Psychology
Depositing User:	Clara Chan
Date Deposited:	10 Aug 2021 09:01
Last Modified:	16 Sep 2021 13:21
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/4915

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