Shyness, alcohol expectancies, and drinking behavior: Replication and extension of a suppressor effect

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Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to follow-up on previous research which showed that positive expectancies about alcohol's effects operate as a suppressor variable, revealing a small but significant relation between shyness and alcohol use. We replicated the role of alcohol expectancies as a suppressor variable, showing a significant inverse relation between shyness and alcohol use for both men and women. Subjects also completed a measure of negative life consequences resulting from drinking. There was no evidence, however, that alcohol expectancies suppressed the relation between shyness and negative consequences of drinking. Instead, there was a significant correlation between shyness and negative consequences for men but not for women. Implications of the growing evidence that shyness is associated with minimal drinking and possible avoidance of risky alcohol-related behaviors are discussed.

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