Alcohol administration in studies of human aggression: a methodological review.

Background

Alcohol administration paradigms are widely used to test the effects of alcohol on human aggression. However, methods used to implement alcohol administration designs can vary considerably, with implications for impact and generalizability.

Objectives

This review summarizes and critically evaluates design features of alcohol administration studies on aggression to inform protocol development and provide recommendations for reporting practices.

Methods

Ninety-seven studies that employed alcohol administration to study the effects of alcohol on interpersonal aggression were coded for methodological features, including the scope of aggressive behavior and sample characteristics, alcohol administration protocols, and elicitation of alcohol-related expectancies.

Results

Alcohol administration studies of aggression have used relatively homogenous samples and aggression paradigms, especially laboratory analogues of alcohol-involved physical aggression. In the alcohol condition, researchers tended to induce relatively high intoxication (mean BrAC = 0.08) using a mixed liquor drink, though drinking and absorption periods relevant for breath alcohol concentration when aggression was assessed were less consistent. Almost all studies with a placebo condition (n = 65 out of 69) included beverage features to enhance alcohol-related expectancies and bolster believability, but only a third told placebo participants they received alcohol. Recommendations for reporting are presented in a checklist.

Conclusion

This review identifies several future methodological directions, including greater inclusion of underrepresented individuals and types of aggression (e.g. sexual, intimate partner), consistent reporting of alcohol administration procedures, and evaluation of placebo enhancement strategies. Maximizing the rigor and replicability of these designs is essential for efforts to understand and reduce alcohol-related aggression.