An exploratory study of the relationship between neuroticism and problematic drinking in emerging adulthood, and the moderating effect of social anxiety

Personality traits provide one way of understanding differential susceptibility to drinking. However, the relationship between trait neuroticism and drinking is unclear. This exploratory study aimed to clarify this relationship by examining whether: (1) existing measures of neuroticism (based on prominent personality models) assess similar or different constructs; (2) social anxiety moderated the relationship between the resulting neuroticism factors and problematic drinking. Emerging adults (N = 757; Mage = 20.71; 72% female) completed an online survey assessing problematic drinking, six facets of neuroticism, and social anxiety. Factor analyses of the neuroticism scales yielded a four-factor solution comprising emotional instability (EI), behavioural inhibition system (BIS), fight-flight-freeze system, and hopelessness. Regression analyses revealed a positive main effect of EI and a significant interaction between BIS and social anxiety on problematic drinking (B = −0.009, p = .008). The BIS was associated with reduced problematic drinking when participants were high in social anxiety (B = −0.177, p = .032) and unrelated to problematic drinking when participants were low in social anxiety (B = 0.091, p = .220). Emerging adults with elevated EI are a vulnerable group which may benefit from personality-targeted interventions. High BIS is associated with reduced problem drinking in socially anxious emerging adults. •Neuroticism comprised of emotional instability, BIS, hopelessness, and FFFS.•Emotional instability was associated with greater problem drinking.•BIS was associated with lower problem drinking in those with higher social anxiety.