Norman, P. orcid.org/0000-0002-5892-0470, Webb, T. and Millings, A. (2019) Using the theory of planned behaviour and implementation intentions to reduce binge drinking in new university students. Psychology and Health, 34 (4). pp. 478-496. ISSN 0887-0446
Abstract
Objective: Excessive alcohol consumption, including binge drinking, increases when students enter university. This study tests whether combining messages targeting theory of planned behaviour (TPB) constructs with if-then plans (i.e. implementation intentions) to avoid binge drinking reduces binge drinking in new university students.
Design: One month after starting university, students (N = 407) were randomly assigned to condition in a 2 (TPB messages) × 2 (implementation intentions) factorial design.
Main Outcome Measures: Cognitions about binge drinking were assessed immediately post-intervention. Frequency of binge drinking was assessed at one-month follow-up (n = 205).
Results: Participants who viewed the messages had significantly weaker intentions to engage in binge drinking and less favourable cognitions about binge drinking (affective attitude, descriptive norms, and self-efficacy) than those who did not view the messages. In addition, participants who formed an implementation intention to avoid binge drinking reported significantly fewer instances of binge drinking at follow-up.
Conclusion: The findings provide some support for the use of interventions based on the TPB to reduce intentions to engage in binge drinking and for forming implementation intentions to reduce the frequency of binge drinking in new university students. No evidence was found for the synergistic effect of combining the two interventions.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2018 Taylor & Francis. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in Psychology and Health. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Heavy episodic drinking; college; online; intervention; experiment; randomised controlled trial |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Science (Sheffield) > Department of Psychology (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 18 Dec 2018 15:11 |
Last Modified: | 24 Nov 2021 11:43 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1080/08870446.2018.1544369 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:140162 |