Personality, problem drinking, and drunk driving: mediating, moderating, and direct-effect models.

Three different general explanations of the effect of personality on problems from drinking alcohol were investigated. One general explanation involved mediating effects. The 2nd explanation involved direct effects of personality. The 3rd general personality process held that alcohol consumption and personality interact as moderating effects on drinking problems. Results provided support for each of the 3 general explanations of personality effects, although certain effects were found primarily for only 2 of the 6 personality constructs investigated (sensation seeking and cognitive motivation). These findings helped delimit the personality processes associated with drinking problems and demonstrated the viability of several specific processes that go beyond traditional assumptions about personality and problem drinking.