| This study examined the relationships between alexithymia, impulsivity, and alcohol use and related problems among college students. Previous research has indicated that alexithymia and impulsivity are independent risk factors for alcohol use and related negative consequences. However, the nature of the relationship between alexithymia and impulsivity, and the mechanisms by which these variables are associated with increased alcohol use and related problems are not fully understood. The current study hypothesized two competing models for the role of impulsivity in the relationship between alexithymia and alcohol use and problems. Specifically, it was hypothesized that impulsivity would mediate the relationship between alexithymia and alcohol use and related problems. A competing moderation model hypothesized that impulsivity and alexithymia would interact to increase the risk for alcohol use and related problems. A total of 536 undergraduate students between the ages of 18 and 25 completed the study; the data from 431 participants, who reported drinking alcohol at least once in the past 3 months, were used for analyses. Negative urgency mediated the relationship between alexithymia and alcohol-related problems. After both negative and positive urgency and consumptions were entered in the model, alexithymia no longer predicted alcohol-related problems. Positive urgency mediated the relationship between alexithymia and alcohol consumption. Positive urgency also moderated the relationship between alexithymia and alcohol-related problems. These results indicate distinct relationships between alexithymia and negative and positive urgency in predicting alcohol consumption and related problems. The findings of this research contribute to the body of the literature on alexithymia, self-regulation, and etiology of alcohol misuse and related consequences. Furthermore, the findings of current study provide support for the importance of emotion identification and expression skills training in substance abuse treatment. |
