Alexandria Digital Research Library

Reducing college student drinking by integrating self-affirmation and implementation intentions

Author:
Ehret, Phillip John
Degree Grantor:
University of California, Santa Barbara. Psychology
Degree Supervisor:
David Sherman
Place of Publication:
[Santa Barbara, Calif.]
Publisher:
University of California, Santa Barbara
Creation Date:
2016
Issued Date:
2016
Topics:
Educational psychology, Public health, Behavioral psychology, and Industrial arts education
Keywords:
College drinking
Implementation intentions
Alcohol
Self-affirmation
Interventions
Genres:
Online resources and Dissertations, Academic
Dissertation:
M.A.--University of California, Santa Barbara, 2016
Description:

The current thesis tested if an integrated self-affirmation and implementation intentions experimental condition would be more effective than a self-affirmation only, implementation intentions only, or control condition at reducing alcohol consumption in college students over a 2-week period. The study manipulations were specifically designed to be extensive, easy to complete, and personally relevant for all participants. 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. Participants in the integrated self-affirmation and implementation intentions condition were most likely to abstain from drinking 1 week later. Affirmed participants continued to be more likely to abstain from drinking 2 weeks later. The findings support the efficacy of integrating self-affirmation and implementation intentions to reduce college student drinking. Implications for other research integrating self-affirmation and implementation intentions is discussed.

Physical Description:
1 online resource (45 pages)
Format:
Text
Collection(s):
UCSB electronic theses and dissertations
ARK:
ark:/48907/f3bv7gs8
ISBN:
9781369340785
Catalog System Number:
990047189270203776
Rights:
Inc.icon only.dark In Copyright
Copyright Holder:
Phillip Ehret
Access: This item is restricted to on-campus access only. Please check our FAQs or contact UCSB Library staff if you need additional assistance.