Anxiety sensitivity and anticipation of a self-disclosing interview as determinants of alcohol consumption

Individuals scoring high (HAS, n = 28) and low (LAS, n = 28) on the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (R. A. Peterson & S. Reiss, 1992) were exposed to a stress induction manipulation followed by a beverage taste-rating task in a study oi coping-related alcohol consumption. Anticipation of an anxiety-relevant (AR) interview about their anxiety experiences did not result in greater alcohol consumption by HAS individuals as hypothesized. However, HAS individuals consumed significantly more alcohol than LAS individuals when anticipating an anxiety-irrelevant (AI) interview about their food preferences. The following explanations are explored: (a) Social-evaluative concerns may have suppressed alcoholic beverage consumption by HAS-AR individuals, and (b) enhanced interoceptive acuity and discomfort because of prior food deprivation may have increased alcoholic beverage consumption among HAS-AI individuals.