The emergence of new problematic alcohol consumption practices among young people requires new dynamics in prevention strategies. In this context, the ADUC project (Alcohol and Drugs at the University of Caen) aims to develop a better understanding of alcohol consumption, and in particular the practice of binge drinking (BD), in order to develop relevant and adapted prevention tools. The ALCONIM study (IRESP funding; Agreement 20II31-00 - ADUC part 3) is a randomized controlled trial that focuses on the specific determinants of norms, identities and motivations. The main objective of this experiment in social psychology is to validate a program for the prevention of BD practices based on motivational interviewing (MI) associated with induced hypocrisy (IH), social identity mapping (SIM) and motivational modeling (MM) in a student environment.
Context. The emergence of new problematic alcohol consumption practices among young people requires new dynamics in prevention strategies. In this context, the ADUC project (Alcohol and Drugs at the University of Caen) aims to develop a better understanding of alcohol consumption, and in particular the practice of binge drinking (BD), in order to develop relevant and adapted prevention tools. The first step, logistically supported by the University of Caen, consisted in identifying the levels of alcohol consumption of students, the prevalence of binge drinking, and their determinants. Based on more than 7000 participants interviewed, it essentially demonstrated 1) an alarming 22% prevalence of BD among students and 2) three main psychological determinants (see Mange et al., 2021), namely subjective norm (i.e., perception of what is done and/or approved by peers), drinker identity (i.e., how the individual defines him/herself as a drinker), and motivations to drink (social, compliance, enhancement, or coping motivations). Objective. The ALCOMEDIIT study (IRESP funding; Agreement 20II31-00 \- ADUC part 3) is a randomized controlled trial . The main objective of this experiment in social psychology is to validate three programs for the prevention of BD practices based on motivational interviewing (MI) associated either induced hypocrisy (IH), social identity mapping (SIM) and motivational modeling (MM) in a student environment.. Materials and Methods. This study will include 240 healthy subjects who will be students at the University of Caen Normandy. They will be people who consume alcohol, having a BD score \> 1 in the month preceding the inclusion but not presenting any specific disorder. The trial will be proposed to them by e-mail and the people who meet the inclusion criteria will join either a control group which will benefit from a MI, or an experimental group which will also benefit from a MI but which will be associated with one out of our three psycho-social interventions (IH vs. SIm vs. MM). In order to measure the effectiveness of each prevention program in terms of reducing the use of BD, a follow-up at 1 month (T1) as well as a follow-up at 6 months (T6; exploratory) will be proposed to all participants. The total duration of this research protocol is almost two years. Hypothesis tested. The aim of this work is to evaluate the interest of associating IH, SIM or MM with a motivational interview in a prevention program aiming at reducing alcohol use and the practice of BD in the student population.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
240
Induced hypocrisy task
Social identity mapping task
Motivational modeling task
motivational interviewing
CAEN University Hospital
Caen, France
RECRUITINGBinge drinking score
The BD score is calculated on the basis of 3 distinct elements (Q1: "number of average standard drinks per hour (containing about 10g of pure alcohol in France)"; Q2: "number of drunken episodes in the last month" and Q3; "percentage of drunken episodes among the occasions of drinking"). The score results from the following weighting: (4 x Q1) + Q2\*6 + (0.2 x Q3). This score considers both the quantity and frequency of drinking, thus integrating the dimension of repeated alcohol withdrawal.
Time frame: 1 month
craving
1 item measuring craving
Time frame: 1 month
craving
1 item measuring craving
Time frame: 6 months
Readiness to Change Alcohol consumption
This self-assessment based on the transtheoretical model of behaviour change (Prochaska \& DiClemente, 1982, DiClemente \& Prochaska, 1982) is recognized for its reliability and validity. The RTC-Alcohol has three different scales that correspond to an assessment of the three main stages of behaviour change: the pre-contemplation, contemplation and action stages. Based on the person's score on each of these scales, the experimenter determines which stage of behavior change the person is in.
Time frame: 1 month
Readiness to Change Alcohol consumption
This self-assessment based on the transtheoretical model of behaviour change (Prochaska \& DiClemente, 1982, DiClemente \& Prochaska, 1982) is recognized for its reliability and validity. The RTC-Alcohol has three different scales that correspond to an assessment of the three main stages of behaviour change: the pre-contemplation, contemplation and action stages. Based on the person's score on each of these scales, the experimenter determines which stage of behavior change the person is in.
Time frame: 6 months
alcohol use
number of alcoholic drinks
Time frame: 1 month
alcohol use
number of alcoholic drinks
Time frame: 6 months
Binge drinking score
The BD score (Townshend \& Duka, 2005) is calculated on the basis of 3 distinct elements (Q1: "number of average standard drinks per hour (containing about 10g of pure alcohol in France)"; Q2: "number of drunken episodes in the last 6 months" and Q3; "percentage of drunken episodes among the occasions of drinking"). The score results from the following weighting: (4 x Q1) + Q2 + (0.2 x Q3). This score considers both the quantity and frequency of drinking, thus integrating the dimension of repeated alcohol withdrawal.
Time frame: 6 months
Norm measure
The "Norm measure" questionnaire assesses the "social norm" perceived by participants, i.e., the extent to which a person perceives that those close to him/her approve of and/or practice excessive alcohol consumption. Participants are asked to indicate their degree of agreement on six Likert scales ranging from 1 = strongly disagree to 7 = strongly agree51 , giving a single score based on the average of responses to the 6 items.
Time frame: 1 month
Norm measure
The "Norm measure" questionnaire assesses the "social norm" perceived by participants, i.e., the extent to which a person perceives that those close to him/her approve of and/or practice excessive alcohol consumption. Participants are asked to indicate their degree of agreement on six Likert scales ranging from 1 = strongly disagree to 7 = strongly agree51 , giving a single score based on the average of responses to the 6 items.
Time frame: 6 months
Alcohol Self-concept Scale
The Alcohol Self-concept Scale (ASCS) assesses the extent to which excessive drinking is important in defining a person's identity. Participants are asked to indicate their level of agreement on five Likert scales, ranging from 1 = strongly disagree to 7 = strongly agree, which will result in a single score based on their averages.
Time frame: 1 month
Alcohol Self-concept Scale
The Alcohol Self-concept Scale (ASCS) assesses the extent to which excessive drinking is important in defining a person's identity. Participants are asked to indicate their level of agreement on five Likert scales, ranging from 1 = strongly disagree to 7 = strongly agree, which will result in a single score based on their averages.
Time frame: 6 months
Drinking motives questionnaire
The Drinking Motives Questionnaire Revised distinguishes 4 types of drinking motivation: social, coping, enhancement and compliance. These dimensions are evaluated on 12 scales ranging from 1 = never to 5 = always.
Time frame: 1 month
Drinking motives questionnaire
The Drinking Motives Questionnaire Revised distinguishes 4 types of drinking motivation: social, coping, enhancement and compliance. These dimensions are evaluated on 12 scales ranging from 1 = never to 5 = always.
Time frame: 6 months
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