Self-regulation as a buffer of the relationship between parental alcohol misuse and alcohol-related outcomes in first-year college students

Alcohol misuse among college students is a large public health concern, thus, it is imperative to identify factors that reduce this risk. One risk factor associated with developing alcohol-related problems is meeting criteria for being an adult child of an alcoholic (ACOA). Conversely, self-regulation has been identified as a protective factor that is inversely associated with drinking-related outcomes. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether self-regulation buffers the risk associated with ACOA status on alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences. In a sample of 195 first-year college students, we found that ACOA status had a unique effect on both alcohol consumption and alcohol-related consequences. Self-regulation was unrelated to alcohol use but inversely associated with alcohol-related consequences. Notably, self-regulation moderated the effect of ACOA status on alcohol-related problems (but not alcohol consumption) such that self-regulation was most strongly related to alcohol-related problems among ACOAs. Our results suggest that self-regulation helps explain the resilience of many ACOAs.

► Examined effects of self-regulation and parental alcohol misuse on alcohol outcomes.
► Parental alcohol misuse predicted increased alcohol use and consequences.
► Self-regulation was inversely related to alcohol-related consequences.
► Self-regulation buffered the effect of parental alcohol misuse on consequences.
► Adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) with poor self-regulation deemed at most risk.