By utilizing a time-sampling technique, this study investigated patterns in
the amount of time spent with and the experience of different social compa
nionships in relation to alcohol involvement (AI). European American adoles
cents in 9th through 12th grade (N = 215) carried electronic pagers for 1 w
eek and completed self-report forms in response to signals received at rand
om times. Results indicated that AT was related to spending more time with
peers and less time with family. Although average overall mood states did n
ot vary as a function of Al, variability of affect and investment across co
ntexts were significantly related to Al. When the experience of specific so
cial contexts was examined, the results indicated that greater Al was relat
ed to (a) lower affect, greater negative mood, and feelings of social isola
tion with family; (b) almost no difference in the experience of time spent
with peers; and (c) lower affect when alone. Curvilinear relations between
Al and feelings of investment with family and when alone indicate that mode
rate AT was associated with the experience of greater motivation for activi
ties in these contexts.