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.

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)

Inclusion Criteria: Must have reported drinking at least 1 drink in the last 30 days at time of first participation. Exclusion Criteria: -

Ehret PJ, Sherman DK. Integrating Self-Affirmation and Implementation Intentions: Effects on College Student Drinking. Ann Behav Med. 2018 Jul 13;52(8):633-644. doi: 10.1093/abm/kax032.