Introduction:

High rates of heavy alcohol use are observed among adolescents. The Acquired Preparedness Model (APM) posits that the confluence of personality factors (e.g., impulsivity) and psychosocial factors (e.g., alcohol expectancies [AES]) predicts substance use. Research supports the use of the APM to explain alcohol use in Argentinean adolescents; however, how different dimensions of impulsivity are associated with alcohol use at this developmental stage is unclear. This study was designed to examine the mediational role of AES in the relationship between multiple dimensions of trait-like impulsivity using the UPPS-P scale and the frequency of heavy episodic drinking (HED) in Argentinean adolescents.

Materials and Methods:

In this study, 427 adolescents (58% were women) with a mean age of 15.72 ± 1.48 years (range, 13-18 years) were enrolled.

Results:

In line with the associations proposed by the APM, this study showed that the tendency to act rashly under intense negative and positive emotions was positively associated with the frequency of HED, via the anticipation of more positive effects of alcohol use. Positive urgency also had a direct effect on the frequency of HED. This information may be useful in developing interventions to reduce positive AES to decrease adolescent alcohol use.

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