Psychopathy and Fun-Seeking Predicting Alcohol Drinking: The Role of Thinking Styles

INTRODUCTION: The study examined the effect of trait psychopathy and BAS fun-seeking on alcohol drinking and whether this effect is moderated by thinking styles. We hypothesised that psychopathy will indirectly predict alcohol drinking through BAS fun-seeking, moderated by experientiality and rationality.

METHODS: The research sample of the cross-sectional study consisted of 241 working adults (47.30% men). Participants completed the Short Dark Triad, Behavioral Inhibition (BIS) and Behavioral Activation Scales (BAS), the Rational-Experiential Inventory-40, and the Health Behaviour Inventory.

RESULTS: Psychopathy indirectly predicted alcohol drinking through BAS fun-seeking. Experientiality significantly moderated the relationship between BAS fun-seeking and alcohol drinking. In the context of high experientiality, BAS fun-seeking predicted alcohol drinking positively and significantly. Rationality did not create a significant context for predicting alcohol drinking by BAS fun-seeking and psychopathy. 

CONCLUSIONS: Moderated mediation analysis showed that thinking styles and individual differences in behavioural activation co-created psychological mechanisms underlying alcohol drinking in adults with traits of psychopathy