BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown, that expectancies about the consumption of alcohol can contribute to the onset and maintenance of alcohol use and modulate in different ways the drinking behaviour of men and women. OBJECTIVES: To describe and analyse gender differences in alcohol expectancies based on indexed literature. METHODS: The research was conducted via the electronic databases PubMed, SciELO, Lilacs and PsycInfo, considering original articles published between 2000 and 2011. RESULTS: Thirty two studies were found, whereby only 2 were from Latin America. Social facilitation was the most frequent expectancy in both genders. Men showed more variety of expectancies associated to alcohol use. Preventive measures with the aim to reduce positive expectancies were more effective in male. DISCUSSION: Regardless of gender, alcohol expectancies are an important risk factor for alcohol use. The consideration of gender differences in alcohol expectancies can enhance clinical monitoring of problems associated with alcohol use and direct preventive efforts against the risk of abuse and dependence.
Gender; alcohol expectancies; prevention; systematic review
