When alcohol fills the gap: Basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration predict drinking patterns.

Abstract

Objective: Test whether perceived basic psychological need satisfaction from alcohol interacts with basic psychological need frustration to predict hazardous/harmful drinking consistent with self-determination theory's need-density hypothesis.

Method: Study 1 was a cross-sectional study (742 U.S. adults) that showed effects of perceived need satisfaction from alcohol and general need frustration on hazardous/harmful drinking (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test). Study 2 was a preregistered 5-day diary study (baseline and four daily surveys; n = 786, 3,358 observations) that assessed effects of daily need frustration and baseline need satisfaction from alcohol on drinking.

Results: Across studies, perceiving alcohol as need satisfying predicted more hazardous/harmful drinking and greater consumption. In Study 1, the association between need-satisfying alcohol use and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test scores was stronger among individuals with greater general need frustration. In Study 2, need satisfaction from alcohol predicted higher odds of any drinking (OR = 1.23, 95% confidence interval [1.06, 1.42]) and increased rate of daily drinking (expressed as an incidence rate ratio = 1.21, 95% confidence interval [1.12, 1.31]). We did not find a clear interaction between daily need frustration and need satisfaction from alcohol.

Conclusions: People who find alcohol need satisfying drink more, especially when they have chronic basic psychological need frustration. Day-to-day fluctuations in need frustration had limited influence. If findings are confirmed in experimental studies, interventions that reduce persistent need frustration or that help meet basic psychological needs in healthier ways may reduce alcohol consumption. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).