Contingent Consistency in Attitudes, Social Support and the Consumption of Alcohol: Additive and Interactive Effects

This study tests the Contingent Consistency Hypothesis that attitudinally consistent behavior is dependent on reference groups or social support and an interactive model of social support for new behavior. These hypotheses are tested for drinking behavior in an adult community. Where attitudes and social support are congruent, the contingent consistency hypothesis is supported. An interaction effect was found among adults where well-established behavior occurred and when social support was high.