OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of a self-affirmation task in deterring college alcohol misuse and the importance of preexisting beliefs in predicting subsequent behavior change. PARTICIPANTS: Heavy-drinking undergraduates (N = 110) participated during the 2011-2012 academic year. METHODS: Participants were randomized to complete an affirmation or control task before reading an alcohol risk message. Alcohol-related beliefs and behaviors were assessed. Participants completed a 2-week online follow-up assessing alcohol-related behaviors. RESULTS: Both groups reported increased perceived problem importance, but neither group displayed changes in personal risk. Follow-up assessment revealed similar, significant declines in peak consumption in both groups, with no significant between-group differences. Preexisting beliefs accounted for 5% to 10% of variance in drinking outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: An affirmation task does not seem to decrease defensive processing or alter high-risk drinking behaviors among college students and should not be utilized in lieu of more effective strategies.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of a self-affirmation task in deterring college alcohol misuse and the importance of preexisting beliefs in predicting subsequent behavior change. PARTICIPANTS: Heavy-drinking undergraduates (N = 110) participated during the 2011-2012 academic year. METHODS:Participants were randomized to complete an affirmation or control task before reading an alcohol risk message. Alcohol-related beliefs and behaviors were assessed. Participants completed a 2-week online follow-up assessing alcohol-related behaviors. RESULTS: Both groups reported increased perceived problem importance, but neither group displayed changes in personal risk. Follow-up assessment revealed similar, significant declines in peak consumption in both groups, with no significant between-group differences. Preexisting beliefs accounted for 5% to 10% of variance in drinking outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: An affirmation task does not seem to decrease defensive processing or alter high-risk drinking behaviors among college students and should not be utilized in lieu of more effective strategies.
Entities:
Keywords:
alcohol; college students; defensive bias; risk messages; self-affirmation
Authors: Matthew P Martens; Kari K Taylor; Krista M Damann; Jennifer C Page; Emily S Mowry; M Dolores Cimini Journal: Psychol Addict Behav Date: 2004-12
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