The goal of the proposed program of research is to begin testing a more complete model of Native American (NA) drinking. The first part of the model adapts drinking behavioral choice theory to help explain high mean NA drinking levels. Standard Life Reinforcers (SLRs) are a basic set of rewarding experiences or consequences that individuals strive for, such as housing, economic security, work opportunity, family closeness, and knowledge. Some NAs experience less access to some SLRs, less loss of other SLRs from drinking, and less contingency between drinking and access to yet other SLRs. As a result, they experience fewer incentives to avoid heavy drinking, and hence they drink more heavily. The second part of the model applies acquired preparedness theory to explain individual differences in drinking levels among NAs. This model incorporates both personality and psychosocial learning. It proposes that disinhibition/impulsivity operates as a general, distal risk factor for a range of acting out behaviors. Impulsivity is likely to lead to problem drinking when one also acquires a proximal risk factor, i.e., expectancies for reinforcement from drinking. The overall model addresses both group and individual difference factors. ? ?
| Spillane, Nichea S; Greenfield, Brenna; Venner, Kamilla et al. (2015) Alcohol use among reserve-dwelling adult First Nation members: use, problems, and intention to change drinking behavior. Addict Behav 41:232-7 |
| Spillane, Nichea S; Smith, Gregory T; Kahler, Christopher W (2013) Perceived access to reinforcers as a function of alcohol consumption among one First Nation group. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 37 Suppl 1:E314-21 |
| Spillane, Nichea S; Cyders, Melissa A; Maurelli, Kim (2012) Negative urgency, problem drinking and negative alcohol expectancies among members from one First Nation: a moderated-mediation model. Addict Behav 37:1285-8 |
| Spillane, Nichea S; Smith, Gregory T (2010) Individual differences in problem drinking among tribal members from one first nation community. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 34:1985-92 |
| Spillane, Nichea S; Smith, Gregory T; Kahler, Christopher W (2010) Impulsivity-like traits and smoking behavior in college students. Addict Behav 35:700-5 |
