title: Single-session expectancy challenge with young heavy drinkers on holiday.
abstract: Expectancy challenges (ECs) were used to change alcohol expectancies and alcohol consumption in young heavy drinking men (age 16-24) on holiday. The intervention took place in community centers and bars. Alcohol expectancies and consumption were assessed with paper and pencil measures prior to the intervention (N=301) and 2 days afterwards (EC: n=178; controls: n=86). Six weeks after the EC, participants were interviewed by telephone (EC: n=163; controls: n=71). The intervention resulted in an increase in sedation expectancies in the EC group. Furthermore, the EC led to a differential reduction in alcohol consumption on a night out at the six-week posttest in the heaviest drinkers only. The reduction in alcohol consumption on a night out was not mediated by the change in sedation expectancies. These findings suggest that further research on the mechanisms of change is necessary before a single-session EC may be used in a real-life prevention setting.
authors.affiliation: Maastricht University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Sociology, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. J.VandeLuitgaarden@ZW.unimaas.nl
authors.forename: Jade
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van de Luitgaarden
authors.forename: Reinout W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Wiers
authors.forename: Ronald A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Knibbe
authors.forename: Math J J M
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Candel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006693:Holidays / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010379:Peer Group; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012718:Set, Psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires