Drinking motives assessment: a review of the literature

Abstract

Drinking motives are important variables that help us to understand alcohol use. They can be represented by a four-factor structure: social, enhancement, coping and conformity. Aim of this review of literature is to present drinking motives concept, distinguishing it from drinking expectancies and emphasizing its double function as predictors and mediators in alcohol use studies. Structural models of drinking motives and assessment difficulties are also debated. Finally, it is discussed the potential utility of assessing drinking motives in clinical interventions with alcoholic individuals and the need for construction and adaptation of drinking motives assessment tools in Brazil.