ORCID

0000-0002-4144-1617

Keywords

Alcohol, Social Media

Abstract

PURPOSE: Young adult (YA) alcohol use remains a significant public health problem, and may be influenced by alcohol expectancies developed through exposure to peers’ alcohol related content (ARC) on social media. This study examined the associations among ARC exposure, alcohol expectancies and alcohol use among YAs, and how susceptibility to peer influence and Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) may influence these relations. METHOD: YAs in the United States who endorsed consuming 1-2 standard drinks per month (N=371) completed surveys measuring ARC exposure, alcohol expectancies, susceptibility to peer influence, FoMO, and alcohol use at baseline and at 4- and 8-week follow ups. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze data across all three timepoints. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Results partially supported a mediating effect of alcohol expectancies on the relation between ARC exposure and alcohol use. Contrary to hypotheses, peer influence susceptibility and FoMO did not moderate associations between ARC exposure and alcohol expectancies and alcohol expectancies and alcohol use, respectively. However, model fit for analyses was poor, suggesting more complex underlying mechanisms and associations may exist. Results highlight alcohol expectancies as critical intervention targets and suggest programs highlighting social media’s influence on alcohol expectancies may be effective in mitigating YA alcohol use and subsequent consequences. This may be accomplished through integrating media literacy programming into existing expectancy-related interventions. Limitations included measurement challenges in capturing social media engagement and FoMO, as well as weak to moderate variable correlations indicating test variables may not have been accurately captured. Future research should incorporate more nuanced measures of social media engagement and FoMO, examine additional mediating mechanisms, and develop sophisticated methods for capturing the multifaceted nature of social media’s impact on YA alcohol use. Longitudinal studies with improved measurement techniques can then provide deeper insights into social media’s influence on YA drinking behaviors.

Completion Date

2025

Semester

Spring

Committee Chair

Meshesha, Lidia

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Psychology

Identifier

DP0029415

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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