Effects of thwarted interpersonal needs and acute alcohol consumption on cognition and affect about death

Abstract

We investigated the effects of thwarted interpersonal needs and acute alcohol consumption on cognitive and affective responses regarding death, with data from 67 students who were drinkers of alcoholic beverages. Each student was randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups distinguished by the presence or absence of both thwarted interpersonal needs and acute alcohol consumption. Cognitive priming bias about death-related risk and fearlessness about death were assessed. Results show significant interaction effects between thwarted interpersonal needs and acute alcohol consumption on cognitive priming bias about death-related risk and fearlessness about death. The findings contribute to explaining how acute alcohol consumption can transform individuals' self-aggressive desire into behavior. Therefore, careful clinical assessment of individuals' frustration in interpersonal relationships and their alcohol consumption is required to prevent risks associated with self-aggressive behavior.