The present study was aimed at obtaining a more comprehensive understanding of the
possible mediating factors in the morningness-eveningness -> alcohol consumption relation.
We explored the role of mediators such as sensation seeking, the frequency of going
out in the evenings, and drinking motives. We tested the proposed mediation model
via structural equation modeling based on cross-sectional research conducted among
Hungarian adolescents and young adults (N=1695, 42.5% male, M-age=18.98, SDage=1.89).
The outcomes included the frequency of alcohol consumption and problematic drinking.
Both alcohol consumption and problematic drinking were predicted in similar directions
and magnitudes by sensation seeking, "going out," and coping drinking motives. However,
eveningness still had a significant direct effect on alcohol consumption and problematic
drinking after we controlled for sensation seeking, going out, and drinking motives.
For problematic drinking, the possible role of drinking motives seems to be higher
and more complex than it is for alcohol consumption. The mediators, such as sensation
seeking, the amount of time spent out in the evenings, and drinking motives, can explain
the eveningness -> alcohol consumption relationship and should be targeted for alcohol
prevention programs among evening-type adolescents.
