Two hundred and ninety-three college students who reported drinking in the past month were randomly assigned to condition in a 2 (self-affirmation: values vs. control writing task) x 2 (implementation intentions: formed vs. not formed) between-subjects factorial design. Participants first completed a self-affirmation or control writing task, then read an article describing the risks of drinking. Next, all participants reported their common drinking behaviors and contexts, and then selected two harm-reduction strategies making either general intentions to use the strategies or making implementation intentions to use the strategies. Alcohol consumption was measured 1 and 2 weeks after the experimental session.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
293
Self affirmation intervention where participants rank 11 values, then write about why their top ranked value is important AND Implementation intentions intervention where participants form two implementation intentions (If/then) statements regarding drinking behavior and write why these are important
Self affirmation intervention where participants rank 11 values, then write about why their top ranked value is important AND No implementation intentions intervention where participants write why selected health strategies are important (and do nothing else)
Control writing intervention where participants rank 11 values, then write about why their 10th ranked value is important to someone else AND Implementation intentions intervention where participants form two implementation intentions (If/then) statements regarding drinking behavior and write why these are important
Control writing intervention where participants rank 11 values, then write about why their 10th ranked value is important to someone else AND No implementation intentions intervention where participants write why selected health strategies are important (and do nothing else)
Alcohol consumption
Number of standard drinks consumed in the past week
Time frame: Past week drinking
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