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Combining self-affirmation and implementation intentions to reduce heavy episodic drinking in university students
Paul Norman1, Aleksandra Wrona-Clarke1
1Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield.
Summary
Implementation intentions, not self-affirmation, effectively reduced alcohol consumption and binge drinking in university students. Forming if-then plans proved more beneficial than self-affirmation for behavioral change in this study.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Health Behavior
- Intervention Studies
Background:
- Self-affirmation studies on university student drinking yield inconsistent results.
- Self-affirmation, a motivational technique, may require volitional strategies like planning to influence behavior.
- Bridging the intention-behavior gap is crucial for effective health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined effects of self-affirmation and implementation intentions on alcohol-related cognitions and behavior.
- To determine if self-affirmation enhances the efficacy of implementation intentions in reducing alcohol consumption.
- To assess the impact of these interventions on binge drinking frequency and quantity.
Main Methods:
- A 2x2 factorial design randomly assigned 348 university students to self-affirmation and/or implementation intention conditions.
- Participants completed a values essay (self-affirmation) and/or formed if-then plans.
- Measures included message derogation, perceived risk, intention, and alcohol consumption at 1-week follow-up.
Main Results:
- Self-affirmation showed no significant main or interaction effects on alcohol consumption or related cognitions.
- Implementation intentions significantly reduced alcohol units consumed and binge drinking frequency at follow-up.
- Affirming a social value moderated the effects of both interventions on intention and behavior.
Conclusions:
- Implementation intentions are effective in reducing alcohol consumption and binge drinking among university students.
- Self-affirmation alone is not sufficient to reduce alcohol consumption in this population.
- Combining self-affirmation with implementation intentions does not necessarily enhance behavioral outcomes for alcohol reduction.
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