Cognitive functioning moderates the relation between hyperactivity and drinking habits

Previous research reveals an inconsistent link between hyperactivity and dr inking (Weiss and Hechtman, 1993), This study sought to investigate whether cognitive functioning moderates the relation between these two variables. One hundred participants completed three measures of drinking habits, two m easures of hyperactivity, and four measures of cognitive functioning. Confi rmatory factor analysis showed that a three-factor model of hyperactivity, cognitive functioning, and drinking habits provided an excellent fit to the data. Stacked two-group analyses revealed that cognitive functioning moder ated the association between hyperactivity and drinking habits. Drinking ha bits and hyperactivity correlated 0.408 (p < 0.05) for individuals low on c ognitive performance; the correlation between these constructs was only 0.1 20 (NS) for individuals high on cognitive performance, Higher levels of cog nitive functioning may buffer individuals from drinking alcohol in accordan ce with their hyperactive symptoms.