Unplanned reaction or something else? The role of subjective cultures in hazardous and harmful drinking

This study compares the impact of levels of impulsivity and subjective cultures through which subjects interpret their experience of the social environment on the probability of hazardous and harmful alcohol use. A sample of 501 participants from Southern Italy completed a series of questionnaires in order to detect their subjective cultures and levels of impulsiveness (attentional, motor and non-planning). Moreover, alcohol consumption, drinking behavior, alcohol-related problems and adverse reactions during the past year were assessed. A sub-group of hazardous and harmful drinkers (n = 106; 21%) was identified and a healthy control group (n = 127; 25%) was selected. Members of the hazardous and harmful group view the social environment as a significantly more unreliable place, and also scored higher on motor impulsiveness and lower on non-planning impulsiveness. Discussion considers theoretical and clinical implications of the results. •It is recognized that both individual and social factors affect hazardous and harmful drinking.•We examine how subjective culture and impulsivity link to problem drinking.•A sample of hazardous and harmful drinkers and controls were selected from a single community.•Hazardous and harmful drinkers view the social environment as a significantly more unreliable.•They also scored higher on motor impulsiveness and lower on non-planning impulsiveness.