Cognitive functioning moderates the relation between hyperactivity and drinking habits.

Previous research reveals an inconsistent link between hyperactivity and drinking (Weiss and Hechtman, 1993). This study sought to investigate whether cognitive functioning moderates the relation between these two variables. One hundred participants completed three measures of drinking habits, two measures of hyperactivity, and four measures of cognitive functioning. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that a three-factor model of hyperactivity, cognitive functioning, and drinking habits provided an excellent fit to the data. Stacked two-group analyses revealed that cognitive functioning moderated the association between hyperactivity and drinking habits. Drinking habits and hyperactivity correlated 0.408 (p < 0.05) for individuals low on cognitive performance; the correlation between these constructs was only 0.120 (NS) for individuals high on cognitive performance. Higher levels of cognitive functioning may buffer individuals from drinking alcohol in accordance with their hyperactive symptoms.