A volitional help sheet to reduce alcohol consumption in the general population: a field experiment.
Volitional help sheets (VHS) have been shown to be effective in changing health behavior, but not yet alcohol consumption in a general population. The aim of the present research was to test the ability of VHS to reduce alcohol consumption against an active control condition, a "standard" self-generated implementation intention condition, and forming a single implementation intention using the VHS. Sixty-nine participants were randomly allocated to one of four conditions: active control, VHS: single implementation intention, VHS: multiple implementation intentions and self-generated implementation intention. The main outcome measure was alcohol intake, assessed using a version of the timeline follow-back technique. Subsequent alcohol consumption decreased by more than 0.5 standard units (8 grams) per day in each of the experimental conditions (ps < 0.05), but increased marginally (0.05 units/day) in the active control condition. There were no significant differences in cognition or behavior between the three experimental conditions. The findings support the efficacy of a new VHS to reduce alcohol consumption. Further research is needed to identify alternative means by which people may form implementation intentions.
School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Coupland Street, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. chris.armitage@manchester.ac.uk
Christopher J
CJ
Armitage
Madelynne A
MA
Arden
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult