Alcohol attention bias: an examination of social drinking populations and methods of measurement

Research has demonstrated ‘alcohol attention bias’ (AAB) in subclinical drinking populations as well as problem drinkers, however this is not as firmly established in subclinical drinking populations and a variety of direct and indirect measures of attention are used to detect this phenomena.<br><br>Objective: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate and quantify AAB detection in subclinical drinking populations, investigating whether AAB was present in subclinical drinking populations when attention to alcohol versus neutral stimuli was measured.

The review focused on two methodologies (visual probe and eye tracking) commonly used to detect AAB.<br><br>Data sources: A systematic review of English language, peer reviewed articles were identified using PsycINFO, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases (up to and including 1st April 2019). An additional study was identified by searching relevant bibliographies.<br><br>Study Selection: Only studies that used visual probe and/or eye tracking methodology to assess cognitive bias between alcohol and neutral stimuli in subclinical drinkers were included.