UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

Approach and avoidance tendencies with alcohol-related stimuli in young heavy drinkers

Italiano, T; (2014) Approach and avoidance tendencies with alcohol-related stimuli in young heavy drinkers. Doctoral thesis (D.Clin.Psy), UCL (University College London). Green open access

[thumbnail of Tommaso_Italiano_Thesis_final_vol1_redacted.pdf]
Preview
PDF
Tommaso_Italiano_Thesis_final_vol1_redacted.pdf

Download (1MB)

Abstract

Aims: Drinking behaviours are regulated by motivational tendencies – fast and automatic responses to alcohol related cues - and by a reflective system which can inhibit impulsive actions. While heavy drinkers tend to display an approach tendency, an avoidance tendency has been promoted by the Cognitive Bias Modification, a training that has reduced relapse rate in individuals treated for alcohol dependence. This study investigates motivational tendencies in a group of young heavy drinkers and matched controls. Methods: Participants were selected on the basis of their scores on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and 23 heavy drinkers were compared with 20 social drinkers on a Relevant-Stimulus Response Compatibility (R-SRC) task. The R-SRC is a measure of automatic motivational tendencies and it requires to move a manikin away or towards alcohol related and neutral pictures on a computer screen. Neuropsychological tests and the Attentional Control Scale (ACS) were also administered. Results: Heavy drinkers and controls differed in their responses on the R-SRC task, with heavy drinkers being faster in approaching alcohol related images. There were minimal differences in working memory and attention between the two groups, while heavy drinkers reported lower scores than social drinkers on the ACS. Conclusions: Heavy drinkers showed an approach tendency towards alcohol-related cues. This might reflect motivational tendencies towards alcohol although these could have also been influenced by social desirability effects. Group differences in ACS scores might reflect heavy drinkers’ awareness of alcohol-related cognitive decline. Motivational tendencies and drinking patterns might increase the risk of alcohol dependence.

Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Qualification: D.Clin.Psy
Title: Approach and avoidance tendencies with alcohol-related stimuli in young heavy drinkers
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
Language: English
Keywords: Alcohol, Motivational tendencies, Approach Avoidance, cognitive bias, Binge drinking.
UCL classification: UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1450431
Downloads since deposit
153Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item