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Selective attentional bias to alcohol related stimuli in problem drinkers and non-problem drinkers

Sharma, Dinkar, Albery, Ian P., Cook, Christopher C. H. (2001) Selective attentional bias to alcohol related stimuli in problem drinkers and non-problem drinkers. Addiction, 96 (2). pp. 285-295. ISSN 0965-2140. (doi:10.1046/j.1360-0443.2001.96228512.x) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:4459)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1360-0443.2001.96228512....

Abstract

Aims. The issues explored in this study were whether a patient group of problem drinkers selectively attend to alcohol-related stimuli and the time course of any interference from alcohol-related stimuli in comparison with two control groups of non-problem drinkers. Design. A 3x2x2x5 factorial design was used. Drinking group (low, high and problem) and word order (alcohol-neutral, neutral-alcohol) were between-participant factors, and word type (alcohol, neutral) and presentation block (1-5) were within participant factors. Participants. Three groups were used, 20 participants from a local community alcohol Service (CAS) and 40 participants (student volunteers) in two control groups. The two control groups were differentiated as scoring high or low on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Measurements. A modified computerized Stroop colour naming test was used to measure response latencies. Anxiety was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Findings. The CAS group showed significantly longer reaction times to respond to the colour of alcohol-related words than to neutral category words. Although the interference was smaller for the high AUDIT group it was significant. No significant interference was found in the low AUDIT group. There was no statistical evidence that the interference habituated in the three groups. Conclusions. The present study showed it is possible to use a modified Stroop task as a measure of implicit processing of alcohol stimuli. Despite the fact that all participants were asked to ignore the words, they were unable to do so. Alcohol-related words produced more interference than neutral category words in a group of problem drinkers and a control group of high alcohol drinkers.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1046/j.1360-0443.2001.96228512.x
Uncontrolled keywords: EMOTIONAL STROOP TASK; THREAT-RELATED INFORMATION; CONSTRUCT ACCESSIBILITY; AUDIT QUESTIONNAIRE; DEPRESSION; ANXIETY; CUES; ATTITUDES; BEHAVIOR; DISORDER
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: C.A. Simms
Date Deposited: 29 Aug 2008 16:55 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Mar 2023 11:29 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/4459 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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