Reducing College Student Drinking by Integrating Self-Affirmation and Implementation Intentions

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Alcohol Drinking Behavior Drinking Behavior

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Must have reported drinking at least 1 drink in the last 30 days at time of first participation.

Exclusion criteria

Treatment and study plan

SA and II

Behavioral

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

SA and No II

Behavioral

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)

No SA and II

Behavioral

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

No SA and No II

Behavioral

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)

Primary outcomes

Alcohol consumption

Time frame: Past week drinking

Number of standard drinks consumed in the past week

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of California, Santa Barbara

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2014
Primary completion: 2015
Study completion: 2015
First posted: Oct 6, 2016
Registry last updated: Nov 3, 2016

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Completed