Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine 5/2018

01-10-2018

Testing an Online, Theory-Based Intervention to Reduce Pre-drinking Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol-Related Harm in Undergraduates: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Authors: Kim M. Caudwell, Barbara A. Mullan, Martin S. Hagger

Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 5/2018

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

The present study tested the efficacy of a theory-based online intervention comprising motivational (autonomy support) and volitional (implementation intention) components to reduce pre-drinking alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm.

Method

Undergraduate students (N = 202) completed self-report measures of constructs from psychological theories, pre-drinking alcohol consumption, and alcohol-related harm at baseline and were randomly assigned to one of four intervention conditions in a 2 (autonomy support: present/absent) × 2 (implementation intention: present/absent) design. Participants completed follow-up measures of all variables at 4 weeks post-intervention. All participants received national guidelines on alcohol consumption and an e-mail summary of intervention content at its conclusion. Participants also received weekly SMS messages in the 4-week post-intervention period restating content relevant to their intervention condition.

Results

Neither statistically significant main effect for either the autonomy support or implementation intention intervention components nor an interaction effect was found on the outcome measures. However, statistically significant reductions in pre-drinking alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm were observed across all groups at follow-up, when compared to baseline.

Conclusion

Reductions in outcome measures were likely related to elements common to each condition (i.e., provision of national guidelines, assessment of outcome measures, e-mail summary, and SMS messages), rather than motivational and volitional components.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Footnotes
1
At baseline, students were coded as belonging to arts (n = 6; 2.97%), business (n = 8; 3.96%), education (n = 4; 1.98%), science (n = 7; 3.47%), health (n = 175; 86.63%), and humanities n = 2; (0.99%) faculties. At follow-up, students were coded as belonging to arts (n = 3; 2.56%), business (n = 3; 2.56%), education (n = 1; 0.85%), science (n = 1; 0.85%), health (n = 107; 91.45%), and humanities (n = 3; 1.71%) faculties. Participants’ scores on outcome measures did not differ as a function of their university, nor between pool and non-pool members; analyses are included in Electronic Supplementary Material 1.
 
2
Results from complete case analyses are included in Electronic Supplementary Material 2.
 
3
We also conducted our main analyses using hierarchical linear multiple regression. The analyses revealed an identical pattern of relations.
 
Literature
7.
go back to reference Burns S, Crawford G, Hallett J, Jancey J, Portsmouth L, Hunt K, et al. Consequences of low risk and hazardous alcohol consumption among university students in Australia and implications for health promotion interventions. Open Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2015;05(01):13. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojpm.2015.51001.CrossRef Burns S, Crawford G, Hallett J, Jancey J, Portsmouth L, Hunt K, et al. Consequences of low risk and hazardous alcohol consumption among university students in Australia and implications for health promotion interventions. Open Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2015;05(01):13. https://​doi.​org/​10.​4236/​ojpm.​2015.​51001.CrossRef
8.
go back to reference Slutske WS, Hunt-Carter EE, Nabors-Oberg RE, Sher KJ, Bucholz KK, Madden PAF, et al. Do college students drink more than their non-college-attending peers? Evidence from a population-based longitudinal female twin study. J Abnorm Psychol. 2004;113(4):530–40.CrossRefPubMed Slutske WS, Hunt-Carter EE, Nabors-Oberg RE, Sher KJ, Bucholz KK, Madden PAF, et al. Do college students drink more than their non-college-attending peers? Evidence from a population-based longitudinal female twin study. J Abnorm Psychol. 2004;113(4):530–40.CrossRefPubMed
10.
go back to reference Kypri K, Cronin M, Wright CS. Do university students drink more hazardously than their non-student peers? Addiction. 2005;100(5):713–4.CrossRefPubMed Kypri K, Cronin M, Wright CS. Do university students drink more hazardously than their non-student peers? Addiction. 2005;100(5):713–4.CrossRefPubMed
13.
go back to reference Scott-Sheldon LAJ, Carey KB, Elliott JC, Garey L, Carey MP. Efficacy of alcohol interventions for first-year college students: a meta-analytic review of randomized controlled trials. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2014;82(2):177–88.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Scott-Sheldon LAJ, Carey KB, Elliott JC, Garey L, Carey MP. Efficacy of alcohol interventions for first-year college students: a meta-analytic review of randomized controlled trials. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2014;82(2):177–88.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
15.
go back to reference Neighbors C, Larimer ME, Lewis MA. Targeting misperceptions of descriptive drinking norms: efficacy of a computer-delivered personalized normative feedback intervention. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2004;72(3):434–47.CrossRefPubMed Neighbors C, Larimer ME, Lewis MA. Targeting misperceptions of descriptive drinking norms: efficacy of a computer-delivered personalized normative feedback intervention. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2004;72(3):434–47.CrossRefPubMed
17.
go back to reference Hagger MS, Lonsdale AJ, Koka A, Hein V, Pasi H, Lintunen T, et al. An intervention to reduce alcohol consumption in undergraduate students using implementation intentions and mental simulations: a cross-national study. Int J Behav Med. 2012;19(1):82–96.CrossRefPubMed Hagger MS, Lonsdale AJ, Koka A, Hein V, Pasi H, Lintunen T, et al. An intervention to reduce alcohol consumption in undergraduate students using implementation intentions and mental simulations: a cross-national study. Int J Behav Med. 2012;19(1):82–96.CrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Deci EL, Ryan RM. Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behaviour. New York: Plenum; 1985.CrossRef Deci EL, Ryan RM. Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behaviour. New York: Plenum; 1985.CrossRef
27.
go back to reference Hagger MS, Chatzisarantis NLD. An integrated behavior change model for physical activity. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2014;42(2):62–9.CrossRefPubMed Hagger MS, Chatzisarantis NLD. An integrated behavior change model for physical activity. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2014;42(2):62–9.CrossRefPubMed
30.
go back to reference Hagger MS, Chatzisarantis NLD. Self-determination theory. In: Conner M, Norman P, editors. Predicting and changing health behaviour: research and practice with social cognition models. Maidenhead: Open University Press; 2015. p. 107–41. Hagger MS, Chatzisarantis NLD. Self-determination theory. In: Conner M, Norman P, editors. Predicting and changing health behaviour: research and practice with social cognition models. Maidenhead: Open University Press; 2015. p. 107–41.
33.
go back to reference Cooke R, Dahdah M, Norman P, French DP. How well does the theory of planned behaviour predict alcohol consumption? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Psychol Rev. 2014;(ahead-of-print):1–20. Cooke R, Dahdah M, Norman P, French DP. How well does the theory of planned behaviour predict alcohol consumption? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Psychol Rev. 2014;(ahead-of-print):1–20.
37.
go back to reference Hardeman W, Johnston M, Johnston DW, Bonetti D, Wareham NJ, Kinmonth AL. Application of the theory of planned behaviour in behaviour change interventions: a systematic review. Psychol Health. 2002;17(2):123–58.CrossRef Hardeman W, Johnston M, Johnston DW, Bonetti D, Wareham NJ, Kinmonth AL. Application of the theory of planned behaviour in behaviour change interventions: a systematic review. Psychol Health. 2002;17(2):123–58.CrossRef
38.
go back to reference Rhodes RE, Bruijn GJ. How big is the physical activity intention–behaviour gap? A meta-analysis using the action control framework. Br J Health Psychol. 2013;18(2):296–309.CrossRefPubMed Rhodes RE, Bruijn GJ. How big is the physical activity intention–behaviour gap? A meta-analysis using the action control framework. Br J Health Psychol. 2013;18(2):296–309.CrossRefPubMed
41.
go back to reference Mullan B, Wong C, Allom V, Pack SL. The role of executive function in bridging the intention-behaviour gap for binge-drinking in university students. Addict Behav. 2011;36(10):1023–6.CrossRefPubMed Mullan B, Wong C, Allom V, Pack SL. The role of executive function in bridging the intention-behaviour gap for binge-drinking in university students. Addict Behav. 2011;36(10):1023–6.CrossRefPubMed
44.
go back to reference Gollwitzer PM. Implementation intentions: strong effects of simple plans. Am Psychol. 1999;54(7):493–503.CrossRef Gollwitzer PM. Implementation intentions: strong effects of simple plans. Am Psychol. 1999;54(7):493–503.CrossRef
45.
go back to reference Murgraff V, White D, Phillips K. Moderating binge drinking: it is possible to change behaviour if you plan it in advance. Alcohol Alcohol. 1996;31(6):577–82.CrossRefPubMed Murgraff V, White D, Phillips K. Moderating binge drinking: it is possible to change behaviour if you plan it in advance. Alcohol Alcohol. 1996;31(6):577–82.CrossRefPubMed
46.
go back to reference Heckhausen H. The Rubicon model of action phases. In: Heckhausen H, editor. Motivation and action. New York: Springer-Verlag; 1991.CrossRef Heckhausen H. The Rubicon model of action phases. In: Heckhausen H, editor. Motivation and action. New York: Springer-Verlag; 1991.CrossRef
48.
go back to reference Koestner R, Lekes N, Powers TA, Chicoine E. Attaining personal goals: self-concordance plus implementation intentions equals success. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2002;83(1):231–44.CrossRefPubMed Koestner R, Lekes N, Powers TA, Chicoine E. Attaining personal goals: self-concordance plus implementation intentions equals success. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2002;83(1):231–44.CrossRefPubMed
55.
go back to reference White AW, Kavanagh D, Stallman H, Klein B, Kay-Lambkin F, Proudfoot J, et al. Online alcohol interventions: a systematic review. J Med Internet Res. 2010;12(5):e62.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral White AW, Kavanagh D, Stallman H, Klein B, Kay-Lambkin F, Proudfoot J, et al. Online alcohol interventions: a systematic review. J Med Internet Res. 2010;12(5):e62.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
56.
go back to reference National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian guidelines to reduce risks from drinking alcohol. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia; 2009. p. 179. National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian guidelines to reduce risks from drinking alcohol. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia; 2009. p. 179.
63.
go back to reference Brown JM, Miller WR, Lawendowski LA. The self-regulation questionnaire. 1999. Brown JM, Miller WR, Lawendowski LA. The self-regulation questionnaire. 1999.
65.
go back to reference Foster JH, Ferguson C. Alcohol ‘pre-loading’: a review of the literature. Alcohol Alcohol. 2013:agt135. Foster JH, Ferguson C. Alcohol ‘pre-loading’: a review of the literature. Alcohol Alcohol. 2013:agt135.
67.
go back to reference Hallett J, Howat P, McManus A, Meng R, Maycock B, Kypri K. Academic and personal problems among Australian university students who drink at hazardous levels: web-based survey. Health Promot J Austr. 2014;24(3):170–7.CrossRef Hallett J, Howat P, McManus A, Meng R, Maycock B, Kypri K. Academic and personal problems among Australian university students who drink at hazardous levels: web-based survey. Health Promot J Austr. 2014;24(3):170–7.CrossRef
71.
go back to reference Kypri K, Langley JD, Saunders JB, Cashell-Smith ML. Assessment may conceal therapeutic benefit: findings from a randomized controlled trial for hazardous drinking. Addiction. 2007;102(1):62–70. 9pCrossRefPubMed Kypri K, Langley JD, Saunders JB, Cashell-Smith ML. Assessment may conceal therapeutic benefit: findings from a randomized controlled trial for hazardous drinking. Addiction. 2007;102(1):62–70. 9pCrossRefPubMed
74.
go back to reference Alkhaldi G, Hamilton FL, Lau R, Webster R, Michie S, Murray E. The effectiveness of prompts to promote engagement with digital interventions: a systematic review. J Med Internet Res. 2016;18(1):e6.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Alkhaldi G, Hamilton FL, Lau R, Webster R, Michie S, Murray E. The effectiveness of prompts to promote engagement with digital interventions: a systematic review. J Med Internet Res. 2016;18(1):e6.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
78.
go back to reference Leontini R, Schofield T, Lindsay J, Brown R, Hepworth J, Germov J. “Social stuff” and institutional micro-processes alcohol use by students in Australian university residential colleges. Contemp Drug Probl. 2015:0091450915580970. Leontini R, Schofield T, Lindsay J, Brown R, Hepworth J, Germov J. “Social stuff” and institutional micro-processes alcohol use by students in Australian university residential colleges. Contemp Drug Probl. 2015:0091450915580970.
79.
go back to reference Armitage CJ. Effectiveness of experimenter-provided and self-generated implementation intentions to reduce alcohol consumption in a sample of the general population: a randomized exploratory trial. Health Psychol. 2009;28(5):545–53.CrossRefPubMed Armitage CJ. Effectiveness of experimenter-provided and self-generated implementation intentions to reduce alcohol consumption in a sample of the general population: a randomized exploratory trial. Health Psychol. 2009;28(5):545–53.CrossRefPubMed
82.
go back to reference Monk RL, Heim D, Qureshi A, Price A. “I have no clue what I drunk last night” using smartphone technology to compare in-vivo and retrospective self-reports of alcohol consumption. PLoS One. 2015;10(5):e0126209.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Monk RL, Heim D, Qureshi A, Price A. “I have no clue what I drunk last night” using smartphone technology to compare in-vivo and retrospective self-reports of alcohol consumption. PLoS One. 2015;10(5):e0126209.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
Metadata
Title
Testing an Online, Theory-Based Intervention to Reduce Pre-drinking Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol-Related Harm in Undergraduates: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors
Kim M. Caudwell
Barbara A. Mullan
Martin S. Hagger
Publication date
01-10-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 5/2018
Print ISSN: 1070-5503
Electronic ISSN: 1532-7558
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-018-9736-x

Other articles of this Issue 5/2018

International Journal of Behavioral Medicine 5/2018 Go to the issue