Volition and alcohol-risk reduction: the role of action orientation in the reduction of alcohol-related harm among college student drinkers.

The present study examined the role of action orientation in health behavior change. Eighty-six binge drinking college students completed measures of alcohol use, alcohol-related consequences (e.g., driving drunk), motivation to change drinking, and action orientation. Alcohol use and consequences were reassessed 1 month later. Results showed that, although there was no significant change in alcohol quantity per occasion, students reported a significant decline in alcohol-related problems over time. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine whether action orientation was associated with changes in alcohol involvement. Controlling for alcohol problems and motivation to change at Time 1, those with higher dispositional action orientation showed fewer alcohol-related consequences at Time 2. These results suggest that those who are low in action orientation may have more difficulty enacting intentions to modify harmful health behaviors. The findings underscore the importance of volitional skills in interventions to promote change in health behavior.