Stress-response-dampening effects of alcohol : Attention as a mediator and moderator

Kenneth J Sher; Bruce D Bartholow; Karl Peuser; Darin J Erickson; Mark D Wood

doi:10.1037/0021-843X.116.2.362

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Stress-response-dampening effects of alcohol : Attention as a mediator and moderator

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Stress-response-dampening effects of alcohol : Attention as a mediator and moderator

Kenneth J Sher, Bruce D Bartholow, Karl Peuser, Darin J Erickson and Mark D Wood

Journal of abnormal psychology (1965), Vol.116(2), pp.362-377

05/01/2007

DOI: 10.1037/0021-843X.116.2.362

PMCID: PMC2679524

PMID: 17516768

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/2679524View

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Abstract

The present study sought to characterize alcohol's stress-response-dampening (SRD) effects on multiple measures of stress and whether these effects are mediated by reductions in sustained attention and, further, whether baseline levels of sustained attention moderate SRD. One hundred six men consumed either an alcohol (0.70 g/kg) or a placebo beverage prior to learning that they would deliver a self-disclosing speech. Structural equation models controlling for multiple baseline periods indicated that alcohol directly reduced self-reported anxiety and skin conductance levels in response to the stressor. Alcohol's effect on reducing heart rate response, in contrast, was indirect and mediated by effects on prestress baseline. As hypothesized, differences in sustained attention partially mediated the effects of alcohol on skin conductance (but not heart rate or self-reported anxiety) and served as a moderator of alcohol's effects on skin conductance response. Findings are discussed in terms of theoretical links among alcohol consumption, specific cognitive abilities, and stress reactivity.

Stress

Addictive behaviors

Adult and adolescent clinical studies

Alcoholism

Biological and medical sciences

Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology

Medical sciences

Personality. Affectivity

Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry

Psychology. Psychophysiology

Psychopathology. Psychiatry

Details

Title: Subtitle: Stress-response-dampening effects of alcohol : Attention as a mediator and moderator
Creators: Kenneth J Sher - University of Missouri
Bruce D Bartholow - University of Missouri
Karl Peuser - University of Missouri
Darin J Erickson - University of Minnesota
Mark D Wood - University of Rhode Island
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of abnormal psychology (1965), Vol.116(2), pp.362-377
DOI: 10.1037/0021-843X.116.2.362
PMID: 17516768
PMCID: PMC2679524
NLM abbreviation: J Abnorm Psychol
ISSN: 0021-843X
eISSN: 1939-1846
Publisher: American Psychological Association
Grant note: DOI: 10.13039/100007165, name: University of Missouri; DOI: 10.13039/100000027, name: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, award: P50 AA11998; R01 AA7231
Language: English
Date published: 05/01/2007
Academic Unit: Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
Record Identifier: 9984446067702771

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