posure to environmental stressors is most strongly related to alcohol use and abuse among vulnerable individuals", such that, "Vulnerable individuals are more likely to be male, to hold strong positive expectancies for alcohol's effects, and to have limited adaptive coping responses" (Cooper et al. , 1992; P. 141). The results supported a stressor vulnerability model of drinking. As expected, it was found that men were more likely to drink than women by virtue of their gender role socialization. More importantly, however, it was also found that, for problem drinking to occur in men, a second vulnerability factor must often be present. In particular, men who either held strong positive expectancies or relied on avoidant forms of coping were more likely to be problem drinkers than men who did not possess these attributes. (Cooper et al. , 1992). With respect to expectancies, it was shown again that both men and women who held strong positive AOE, drank significantly more then men and women who did not. Much more important, however, was the finding that "expectancies appeared to function as stressor vulnerability factor among men but not among women" (Cooper et al. , 1992; P. 148). Finally, with regards to coping, it was confirmed that coping styles play an important role in problem drinking. However, significant interactions with gender and expectancies were also indicated. Men who relied on avoidant forms of coping were more likely than women to be vulnerable to stress induced drinking. Similarly, stressors were much more likely to elicit problem drinking among individuals who were both high in avoidance coping and positive AOE, than amongst individuals who were only high in avoidance coping. (Cooper et al. , 1992).Purpose of the present studyThe purpose of the present study is to extend and modify the work of Cooper et al. (1992) in an attempt to clarify the role of stress in alcohol consumption, with respect to the interactional stre...
