Understanding Momentary Alcohol Use Cognitions Through the Lenses of Momentary Socioeconomic Identification, Unfair Treatment, and Strain

Background: Studies suggest that socioeconomic status (SES) is related to alcohol use. SES may impact alcohol use via exposures to financial stress, discriminatory experiences, identity threats, negative emotions, and perceived threats. These experiences could lead to alcohol use via increases in alcohol use willingness. However, there is little research using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to illuminate temporal dynamics in the relationship between SES and alcohol use willingness during daily life moments. This is especially important to examine in emerging adults, given their unique developmental stage.

Methods: A sample of 119 African American emerging adults (mean age = 24.82, 59% female, diverse educational levels) completed 4 d of EMA surveys reporting both SES-related experiences and alcohol use willingness on an hourly basis.

Results: Higher perception of SES-based unfair treatment was found to be linked with a greater willingness to drink at the moment (p < .001, b = 0.66). Conversely, a positive view of one's own SES at the moment was associated with a lower willingness to drink (p < .001, b = -0.12). Additionally, a heightened perception of perceived threat at the moment was associated with a higher willingness to drink (p = .001, b = 0.05).

Conclusion: SES-based unfair treatment and positive identification are factors that influence spontaneous alcohol use interest among emerging adults. Clinicians should assess these SES factors when attempting prevention and treatment, especially momentary interventions. Further, research should investigate more mechanisms explaining associations between SES-based unfair treatment and willingness to use other substances.