“I cannot stand the boredom.” Binge drinking expectancies in adolescence

• Binge drinking is a very common behavior in Italian adolescents.
• Binge drinkers have high scores on boredom and expectancies to drink.
• Boredom predicts binge drinking via the mediation of drinking expectancies.
• Social confidence has no effect on binge drinking behaviors.
• Interventions on boredom and positive alcohol expectancies may reduce drinking.

Introduction: The main aim of this study is to improve our knowledge on binge drinking behavior in adolescents. In particular, we tested a model of predictors of binge drinking focusing on boredom proneness; we also examined the predictive and mediating role of drinking expectancies on binge drinking. Methods: A questionnaire designed to assess current drinking behavior, such as binge drinking, drinking expectancies and boredom proneness, was administered to 721 Italian adolescents (61% females) aged between 13 and 19 years (M = 15.98, SD = 1.61). Results: Structural equation modeling confirmed the evidence on drinking expectancies as predicted by boredom proneness and as predictive of adolescents' binge drinking. Interestingly, disinhibition and relief from pain seem to play a more important mediating role between boredom and alcohol outcome. Conversely, no mediation was found for interpersonal and social confidence expectancies on binge drinking. Conclusions: In general, the results suggest that preventative interventions on alcohol misuse should focus on personality traits and underlying drinking expectancies.