title: The role of executive function in bridging the intention-behaviour gap for binge-drinking in university students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alcohol consumption contributes to a significant proportion of disease and the high prevalence amongst young adults is a worldwide health concern.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine which aspects of executive function (EF) distinguish binge-drinkers from non binge-drinkers and to establish the role of EF in predicting behaviour.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-report questionnaires, four tests of self-regulation and a behaviour measure were administered to 153 students.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Theory of Planned Behaviour model was significant in predicting both intentions and behaviour. Although binge-drinkers and non binge-drinkers were found to differ on three of the four measures of EF, none predicted additional variance in behaviour. Planning ability and inhibition control moderated the relationship between intention and behaviour such that for individuals who intended to binge-drink, those with high planning ability or high inhibitory control were more likely to avoid doing so.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interventions targeting binge-drinking behaviour should aim to develop planning skills and inhibitory control.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. Barbara.mullan@sydney.edu.au
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mullan
authors.forename: Cara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Allom
authors.forename: Sophia Laurel
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Pack
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000506:poisoning*; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012309:Risk-Taking; D057566:Self Report; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol