Personality and Situation as Determinants of Desire to Drink in Young Adults

Interaction between certain personality traits (Neuroticism-Anxiety, Depression, Sensation Seeking, and Extraversion) and desire to drink alcohol in different situations (Boring, Stressful, Convivial, Ceremonial, and Neutral) was investigated using a sample of 171 students and questionnaire methodology. Modest support was found for certain interactional hypotheses. Desire to drink was greater in both Stressful and Convivial situations for those who scored higher on Neuroticism, Convivial Situations for those higher on Depression (Beck), and Boring situations for those higher on Sensation Seeking. These and other results are discussed.