Later, the researcher distributed a ten item Sexual Insecurity Scale to assess insecurity and discomfort in romantic and sexual situations. The studies showed that individuals holding high expectations of enhanced sexuality drink more per occasion and drink more per month than individuals holding lower expectations. For women the average number of reported drinking occasions per month was 5.3, the typical quantity consumed per drinking occasion was 4.0 drinks and the maximum quantity consumed within the last two months was 11.0. For men, the average number of reported drinking occasions per month was 7.4, the typical quantity consumed per drinking occasion was 6.0 drinks and the maximum quantity consumed within the last two months was 12.2. Since expectations have been found to relate differentially to drinking behaviors, consumption patterns were examined independently.
Results show that men drink significantly more often, and more per occasion than women do.
Men holding high expectations of enhanced sexuality drink more per occasion, have a greater maximum quantity, and drink more per month, than men holding lower expectations. Men who were secure reported the heaviest typical use of alcohol, especially if they believed alcohol facilitated sexual activity. In summary, when the relationship between alcohol expectations and the value attached to the anticipated consequence is examined for alcohol use, important gender differences emerge. In the study, the relationship between expectations and values predicted heavy drinking for men and was not predictable for women. These findings underscore previous suggestions that women, on average, may be motivated to drink heavily to compensate for perceived social deficits, while men are motivated to enhance positive experiences and mood states.