Moderation of the expectancy-alcohol use relation by private self-consciousness: Data from a longitudinal study

This study investigated whether the relation between alcohol outcome expect ancies and alcohol use may be moderated by individual differences in privat e self-consciousness (PSC). Quantity/frequency of alcohol use, expectancies , and PSC in a sample of young adults were assessed annually over 4 years. Regression equations were used to predict alcohol use from expectancies, PS C, and their interaction while controlling for sex and family history of al coholism. High PSC war associated with a stronger association between expec tancies and alcohol use than war low PSC, although only in participants of legal drinking age. Also, PSC was negatively associated with alcohol use fo r underage participants when expectancies were statistically controlled, co nsistent with previous work linking PSC to adherence to legal prescriptions . Findings are discussed in relation to a model of expectancy accessibility .