The Relationship Between Violent Fantasy and Alcohol Misuse in Aggressive Behaviours

Abstract

Alcohol misuse and cognitions supportive of violent behaviour have been linked with higher likelihood of engaging in aggressive actions. The present study investigated the interactive effects of alcohol abuse and violent fantasy on aggressive behaviour. A community sample of 279 adults recruited from South East Queensland completed the Aggression Questionnaire, Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, Scheduled of Imagined Violence, and the Marlowe‐Crowne Social Desirability Scale. Controlling for age, gender, and social desirability response, participants who acknowledged fantasies about violence and higher levels of alcohol consumption reported higher levels of aggression. Importantly, the interactive effects of alcohol and fantasy indicated that the contribution of violent fantasies was greatest among individuals with high levels of alcohol use compared with individuals with low alcohol use. The current findings, in conjunction with recent experimental evidence, highlight potential concerns regarding the additive effects of alcohol and violent fantasy.

Key words:

• aggression
• alcohol misuse
• community
• script theory
• violent fantasy

Conflict of interest: Nil.

Conflict of interest: Nil.

Acknowledgement

The current study was funded by Bond University Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty Research Competitive Grants awarded to the first author.

Notes

Conflict of interest: Nil.