The Authors’ Own Words: Similarity in Romantic Couples' Drinking Motivations and Drinking Behaviors

The Authors’ Own Words: We ask authors to describe their impressions regarding the implications of their accepted work, how their findings will change practice, and what is noteworthy about the work.

Ivy-Lee L. Kehayes, BSc; Sean P. Mackinnon, PhD; Simon B. Sherry, PhD; Kenneth E. Leonard, PhD; & Sherry H. Stewart, PhD

Substance Abuse Vol. 38, Iss. 4, 2017

“The present study contributes to the literature by focusing on the social determinants of drinking motives and alcohol use within romantic couples. Much of the research concerning drinking motivation focuses on individual factors that influence motives, such as personality traits. The present study is one of the few that has examined drinking motives in romantic couples from a social learning theory perspective, and is the first to show that couples are similar in not only their drinking behaviors, but in their drinking motives as well. Further, our study is the first to utilize a similarity profile in the measurement of drinking behavior and drinking motives, and advances the literature by using a more accurate estimation of similarity within romantic couples. Our results have clear clinical implications and further highlight the importance of addressing an individual’s social network when attempting to lower risky drinking behavior.”