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Alcohol consumption and dependence is linked to the extent that people experience need satisfaction while drinking alcohol in two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Conigrave, James H. Bradshaw, Emma L. Conigrave, Katherine M. Ryan, Richard M. Wilson, Scott Perry, Jimmy Doyle, Michael F. Lee, K. S. Kylie
Conigrave, James H.
Bradshaw, Emma L.
Conigrave, Katherine M.
Ryan, Richard M.
Wilson, Scott
Perry, Jimmy
Doyle, Michael F.
Lee, K. S. Kylie
Abstract
Background
Unhealthy alcohol use is a key concern for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (‘Indigenous Australian’) communities. Due to systematic disadvantage and inter-generational trauma, Indigenous Australians may be less likely to have satisfied basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness). When people are need-thwarted, they may engage in compensatory behaviours to feel better in the short-term. We explore the relationship between perceived basic psychological needs satisfaction and alcohol consumption use among Indigenous Australians. Better understanding the functions that alcohol may play for some Indigenous Australian drinkers may aid communities, clinicians, and policy makers in improving programs for reducing drinking-related harms.
Methods
We performed a cross-sectional survey of Indigenous Australians (aged 16 years or older) living in two South Australian communities. Participants were eligible if they had consumed any alcohol in the past 12 months. Spearman correlations and linear regressions were used to determine if feeling more autonomous, competent, and related to others (need satisfied) while drinking, was linked to alcohol consumption and dependence.
Results
Controlling for participant demographics, reporting feeling need satisfied while drinking was linked to drinking more alcohol per day, reporting more frequent symptoms of alcohol dependence, spending more money on alcohol, and scoring higher on the AUDIT-C.
Conclusions
Unhealthy drinking may partly stem from attempts to satisfy basic psychological needs. Programs which support Indigenous Australians to meet basic psychological needs could reduce attempts to meet psychological needs through alcohol consumption.
Keywords
self-determination theory, alcohol consumption, basic psychological needs, Grog Survey App, Indigenous Australians
Date
2021
Type
Journal article
Journal
Addiction Science and Clinical Practice
Book
Volume
16
Issue
Page Range
1-11
Article Number
Article 23
ACU Department
Institute for Positive Psychology and Education
Faculty of Education and Arts
Faculty of Education and Arts
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
License
CC BY 4.0
File Access
Open