Research & Resources

This study examined age and fear of missing out (FOMO) as moderators of the association between peak number of drinks and alcohol-induced blackouts. Participants, ages 15–25 years old, completed baseline and daily surveys as part of a larger ecological momentary assessment study. Past-month blackout experiences and peak number of drinks were reported at baseline, and FOMO was reported in daily surveys 1–3 weeks following the baseline survey. Findings indicated the association between peak number of drinks and the likelihood of an alcohol-induced blackout was significantly moderated by age. The association was stronger for younger compared to older individuals. Findings further indicated that FOMO significantly moderated the associations between peak number of drinks on both the likelihood and average number of alcohol-induced blackouts. Individuals reporting higher levels of FOMO demonstrated a strong association between peak drinks and the average number of alcohol-induced blackouts.

This paper, “Age and fear of missing out as moderators of the association between peak drinks and alcohol-induced blackouts among adolescents and young adults,” was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and published in the journal Substance use & misuse.