The present study investigated the feasibility, acceptability, and initial utility of a brief academic goal-relevant episodic future thinking (A-EFT) task among heavy college drinkers. First, the study attempts to extend the temporal reach of EFT interventions which have demonstrated immediate reductions in discounting, and alcohol demand. The current study utilized a longitudinal design to evaluate whether EFT can change drinking behavior outside the lab in heavy drinking college students. The two-group experimental design included an active control group, weekly booster contact, and 1-month follow-up. Second, this study seeks to investigate whether the process of engaging in EFT is sufficient to produce effects when cues are not presented during the decision-making task. Lastly, this study adds an academic goal-related focus to the EFT task based on previous research indicating that forming meaningful academic goals is protective against drinking and associated problems.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
45
Brief Academic goal related EFT intervention involving desirable outcomes of current academic goals
Matched for time control task involving recall of vivid memories of distinct events/actions from a children's story
The University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Daily Drinking Questionnaire
Indicate how many standard drinks were consumed on each day of a "typical week" in the past month
Time frame: Baseline
Daily Drinking Questionnaire
Indicate how many standard drinks were consumed on each day of a "typical week" in the past month
Time frame: 1-month post
Alcohol-Related Consequences
Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire - Indicate "yes" or "no" to experiencing each alcohol-related consequences in the past month
Time frame: Baseline
Alcohol-Related Consequences
Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire - Indicate "yes" or "no" to experiencing each alcohol-related consequences in the past month
Time frame: 1-month post
Alcohol Demand
Alcohol Purchase Task - Indicate hypothetical alcohol purchase behavior at a variety of price points
Time frame: Baseline
Alcohol Demand
Alcohol Purchase Task - Indicate hypothetical alcohol purchase behavior at a variety of price points
Time frame: Post-session - immediately after intervention;control
Alcohol Demand
Alcohol Purchase Task - Indicate hypothetical alcohol purchase behavior at a variety of price points
Time frame: 1-month post
Delayed Reward Discounting
5-Choice Minute Discounting task - Indicate preference for various choices of immediate small vs. larger delayed rewards
Time frame: Baseline
Delayed Reward Discounting
5-Choice Minute Discounting task - Indicate preference for various choices of immediate small vs. larger delayed rewards
Time frame: Post-session - immediately after intervention/control
Delayed Reward Discounting
5-Choice Minute Discounting task - Indicate preference for various choices of immediate small vs. larger delayed rewards
Time frame: 1-month post
Protective Behavioral Strategies
Indicate frequency of use of each protective strategy on a 1-6 Likert-type scale (1 = Never, 6 = Always)
Time frame: Baseline
Protective Behavioral Strategies
Indicate frequency of use of each protective strategy on a 1-6 Likert-type scale (1 = Never, 6 = Always)
Time frame: 1-month post
Academic Engagement
Single item assessing time spent studying during the past week
Time frame: Baseline
Academic Engagement
Single item assessing time spent studying during the past week
Time frame: 1-month post
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