Leisure and Alcohol Expectancies

This paper presents the results of a study investigating the ways in which individuals expect drinking to affect their leisure experiences, and the relationship of these expectancies to alcohol consumption patterns. Data were obtained from a community sample of 144 adults who completed a mail questionnaire. Results suggest that individuals expect alcohol to affect their leisure experiences in three ways: 1) facilitate disengagement from responsibilities and tensions, 2) increase self-assurance and acceptance, and 3) heighten engagement in the immediate experience. The strength of these expectancies has utility in predicting frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption. In addition, the ways in which individuals expect that alcohol consumption will affect their leisure experiences is dependent on the leisure context. These results provide preliminary insight into the complex relationship between alcohol consumption and leisure.