Contextual cues prompt greater improvements in alcohol consumption recall for people with higher working memory capacities

Objective: 

Alcohol research often relies on surveys to assess how much alcohol participants consume. Therefore, improving accuracy in surveys is a priority for researchers. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between working memory and self-reported alcohol consumption. 

Method: 

Two hundred and eighty-five respondents (203 female, mean age = 55.60, SD = 7.35) were recruited online to complete three working memory tests and two alcohol consumption measures: one included contextual cues (Within-Location Beverage Specific; WLBS) and the other did not (Graduated Frequency; GF). 

Results: 

Contrary to expectations, while all respondents reported higher alcohol consumption in response to the WLBS than the GF, those who scored high on working memory measures gained greater benefits from the inclusion of contextual cues than those who scored low. 

Conclusions: 

Thus, while contextual cues in alcohol consumption surveys elicit higher levels of reported consumption, they may still lead to under-reporting by those with poorer working memories.