Exploring the effect of alcohol on post-event processing specific to a social event.

Inconsistent findings regarding the relationship between social anxiety and alcohol use suggest that further research is needed to explore how alcohol affects various components of social anxiety. Post-event processing, or rumination after social events, is an element of cognitive models of social anxiety that is related to increased levels of social anxiety. The goal of the current study was to explore the interrelationships among social anxiety, post-event processing, and alcohol use. A sample of 208 university students completed online questionnaires to assess their levels of trait social anxiety and trait depression as well as their alcohol consumption at a specific social event. Participants then completed questionnaires to assess levels of post-event processing specific to the social event they attended. Results revealed that the amount of alcohol individuals consumed at the event predicted increased levels of post-event processing above and beyond levels of trait social anxiety and depression. As such, drinking may lead to increased post-event processing in student samples.