Reducing alcohol consumption during pre-drinking sessions: testing an integrated behaviour-change model

Application of Self-Determination Theory to Substance Use and Its Treatment: A Scoping Review of the Literature

Background: Self-determination theory (SDT) may provide important insights for understanding substance misuse and treatment outcomes. However, to date, the literature applying SDT to substance use and its treatment is varied and difficult to integrate. Methods: The authors searched psycINFO and PubMed on October 26th, 2021 to identify articles applying SDT to substance use and its treatment. Eligible studies were published in peer-reviewed articles in English, on adult populations (18+), and explicitly applied SDT to the context of substance use or its treatment. Results were categorized as studies applying SDT in non-treatment or treatment settings and were synthesized within these categories by substance(s) of focus, primary outcome(s), component(s) of SDT utilized, and relevant findings. Results: The search revealed 38 articles applying SDT in non-treatment (k = 16) and treatment (k = 22) settings. Causality orientations and the basic psychological needs were the most frequently studied components of SDT. Studies that applied SDT in non-treatment settings placed a greater emphasis on causality orientations, whereas treatment studies more frequently targeted or measured basic psychological needs. Conclusions: SDT constructs consistently predicted both substance misuse and treatment outcomes in a theoretically consistent manner, however, several important gaps remain and opportunities for future research are discussed.

Willingness to reduce alcohol consumption predicted by short-form video exposure, media involvement, psychological bias, and cognitive factor

Introduction

Through previous studies, Chinese college students are known to be prone to alcohol consumption, which can lead to health-risk behaviors such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems. However, little is known about how popular social media platforms (e.g., short-form video applications) can positively impact their willingness to reduce alcohol consumption. This study was guided by the theory of optimistic bias; we investigated the direct, mediated, and moderating effects of exposure to anti-alcohol consumption short-form videos and short-form video involvement on Chinese college students' willingness to reduce their alcohol consumption.

Methods

The current study has an empirical cross-sectional design and employed an online survey from September 1st, 2022, to November 1st, 2022. The survey specifically targeted Chinese college students, who are the most common users of short-form video applications. The accumulated data underwent rigorous examination, including hierarchical regression, mediation, and moderation analyses, all conducted using the PROCESS macro 4.0 within SPSS version 22.

Results

A total of 434 participants, aged 18-24 years, were included in this study. There were mediating effects regarding Chinese college students' exposure to anti-alcohol consumption short-form videos (β = 0.35, p < 0.01, 95% CI [0.17, 0.63]) and short-form video involvement (β = 0.44, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.20, 0.65]) on their willingness to reduce alcohol consumption via reversed optimistic bias. Moreover, perceived prevention of heavy drinking control (β = 0.05, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.01, 0.09]) played mediating roles in the relationship between exposure to anti-alcohol consumption short-form videos and willingness to reduce alcohol consumption.

Conclusion

This study is one of the earliest studies to examine the intricate effects of exposure to anti-alcohol consumption short-form videos and short-form video involvement on the willingness to reduce alcohol consumption among Chinese college students. In addition, this study confirms that regardless of whether Chinese college students are conscientious, exposure to anti-alcohol consumption short-form videos did not increase their level of reversed optimistic bias. The empirical findings of this study are critical and can provide practical insights for Chinese health departments that encourage Chinese college students to minimize alcohol consumption.

Reciprocal relations between past behavior, implicit beliefs, and habits: A cross-lagged panel design

The current study assessed cross-lagged relationships between binge drinking, implicit beliefs, and habit in undergraduate university students (N = 105). Students completed self-report survey and implicit measures in lab visits 3 months apart. A structural equation model revealed cross-lagged relations between habit and behavior, and some evidence for a reciprocal relationship between implicit beliefs and habit. Implicit beliefs were related to alcohol behavior across time, but no cross-lagged relationship was observed. Findings provide preliminary support for recent advances in habit theory, suggesting that implicit beliefs and habit may develop in tandem or even share common knowledge structures and schemas.

The nomological network of drinker identity: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Despite the growing interest in the construct of drinker identity and empirical evidence for its role in drinking behavior, there is a paucity of papers that evaluate and integrate the results of studies on drinker identity, leaving a gap in our knowledge of the importance of the drinker identity construct. The current paper addresses this gap by reviewing and integrating the results of the studies of drinker identity.

METHODS

The scoping review identified, retrieved, and evaluated the existing literature regarding drinker identity. English language studies from EBSCOHost, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases were reviewed. Studies were included in the review if they were data-based studies or theoretical publications with drinker identity as the primary topic published in peer-reviewed journals. Studies were reviewed and coded based on their reported methodology and findings and codes were used to integrate and present findings.

RESULTS

This review advances this line of research in four ways. First, the operationalization of drinker identity is evaluated by examining the theoretical frameworks defining the construct. Second, the conceptualization and measurement of drinker identity is assessed, with suggestions for future measurement research. Third, an integrated framework of predictors, outcomes, moderators, and mediators is presented. Finally, the research gaps, future recommendations, and clinical implications are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for continued research, specifically research which aims to standardize and improve measurement of drinker identity, considers longitudinal and developmental processes, and broadens the research samples and settings.

Utility of temporal self‐regulation theory in health and social behaviours: A meta‐analysis

PURPOSE

Temporal self-regulation theory was developed to address an observed intention-behaviour gap across behaviours. However, a synthesis of studies has not yet been conducted to investigate the theory's utility to explain behaviour and bridge the intention-behaviour gap. This review aimed to evaluate the predictive ability of temporal self-regulation theory to understanding behaviour and pre-registered at PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021253174).

METHOD

Forward citation searches on the original theory publication through Google Scholar until May 2021 identified 37 eligible articles, including, 12,555 participants assessing at least two of the three theory constructs. Random-effects meta-analyses assessed the strength of associations between theory constructs on behaviour and random effects meta-regressions assessed moderators of behaviour.

RESULTS

Findings provide support for temporal self-regulation theory to explain behaviour with very weak (self-regulatory capacity r = .039, CI = .00, -.07) to moderate (intention r = .331, CI = .26, .40; behavioural pre-potency r = .379, CI = .32, .44) effect sizes. Further, the strength of associations varied across behaviour types and contexts. However, there was high heterogeneity across studies and some moderating effects could not be assessed due to insufficient numbers of studies assessing interactions.

CONCLUSIONS

We urge researchers to assess and report interactions for better understanding of the drivers of behaviour to develop effective interventions for positive behaviour change.

The utility of the integrated behavior change model as an extension of the theory of planned behavior

Introduction

There are several widely used theories of health behavior change, which mostly utilize the social cognitive approach. These theories tend to posit that intention is a direct predictor of behavior, do not include automatic influences on behavior, and propose a one-size-fits-all theory for both initiators and maintainers. However, the intention-behavior gap is a well-observed phenomenon, researchers have highlighted that both automatic and reflective factors promote behavioral engagement, and predictors of behavior have been shown to differ between initiators and maintainers-three issues that necessitate theory advancement. To that end, the present research compares the utility of the Integrated Behavior Change Model (IBCM) - a social cognitive model that includes automatic factors involved in behavioral engagement and a moderator of the intention-behavior gap - to its theoretical predecessor, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Further, the relevance of the IBCM factors for predicting exercise behavior is compared in initiators versus maintainers.

Method

Participants were 494 US undergraduates. Participants reported on variables from the IBCM (and TPB) at baseline and reported on their exercise behavior in two surveys at seven- and 14-days post-baseline.

Results

Findings supported the first hypothesis that the IBCM would be more relevant for initiators in comparison with maintainers, using structural equation modeling. Specifically, only the paths between intrinsic motivation and affective attitude, affective attitude and intention, and intention and behavior were reliably found for maintainers. For initiators, the aforementioned paths were also reliably supported and the additional following paths were also supported: intrinsic motivation and perceived behavioral control, perceived behavioral control and intention, and intention and action planning. However, results did not support the second hypothesis that the IBCM would predict significantly more variance in behavior than its theoretical predecessor, the TPB. Specifically, the addition of action planning, implicit attitude, implicit motivation, and the interaction between intention and action planning only predicted an additional 0.3% (p < 0:05) of the variance in exercise behavior above and beyond intention.

Conclusion

Results highlight the continued need for theoretical refinement in terms of delineating mechanisms of initiation and maintenance and the need for further development in terms of improving upon current predictions of behavior engagement and change.

Perceived determinants of physical activity among women with prior severe preeclampsia: a qualitative assessment

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to (1) qualitatively identify the perceived determinants of physical activity among women who have experienced severe preeclampsia, and (2) examine whether these determinants are consistent with the overarching processes outlined in the integrated behavior change (IBC) model, a novel model that describes physical activity as being a result of motivational, volitional, and automatic processes.

METHODS

Patients (n = 35) of the Follow-Up PreEClampsia (FUPEC) Outpatient Clinic, Erasmus MC, the Netherlands, participated in an anonymous online survey. The main outcomes under study were their perceived determinants of physical activity. Responses were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Thirteen themes emerged from the analysis. Six themes corresponded with motivational processes (future health, perceived ability, attitude, future reward or regret, physical appearance, and doing it for others), two with volitional processes (scheduling and planning), and two with automatic processes (affect and stress). Three themes were classified as environmental factors (time constraint, social support, and physical environment).

CONCLUSIONS

A range of facilitating and hindering factors were described by women with prior severe preeclampsia as the determinants of their physical activity. These factors corresponded well with the overarching motivational, volitional, and automatic processes described in the IBC model. In addition, motivational and environmental factors beyond the IBC model were described. Addressing these perceived determinants could enhance the efficacy of physical activity interventions in this population.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Motivational, volitional, automatic, and environmental factors drive physical activity in women with prior severe preeclampsia.

Determinants of Virtual Exercise Equipment Use: An Integrated Model Investigation

BACKGROUND

Given the limited research on behavioral determinants of using virtual exercise machines to engage in exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study applied an integrated behavior change model to identify behavioral determinants using these machines.

METHOD

Adult owners of livestreaming virtual exercise equipment (N = 123) completed measures of social cognition, planning, motivation, virtual exercise machine features, and sociostructural variables at an initial occasion (T1) and 4 weeks later (T2). Hypothesized relations among model constructs were tested using a cross-lagged structural equation model with past behavior and sociostructural variables as covariates.

RESULTS

Autonomous motivation predicted intentions and habit indirectly via attitudes and perceived behavioral control at T1; virtual exercise machine features predicted intention and habit indirectly via social cognition constructs at T1; and intention and habit at T1 predicted exercise behavior at T2.

CONCLUSIONS

This study supports social cognition constructs and virtual features as predictors of exercise using virtual exercise machines.

Moving from intention to behaviour: a randomised controlled trial protocol for an app-based physical activity intervention (i2be)

INTRODUCTION

Efficacy tests of physical activity interventions indicate that many have limited or short-term efficacy, principally because they do not sufficiently build on theory-based processes that determine behaviour. The current study aims to address this limitation.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The efficacy of the 8-week intervention will be tested using a three-condition randomised controlled trial delivered through an app, in women with a prior hypertensive pregnancy disorder. The intervention is based on the integrated behaviour change model, which outlines the motivational, volitional and automatic processes that lead to physical activity. The mechanisms by which the behaviour change techniques lead to physical activity will be tested.Following stratification on baseline factors, participants will be randomly allocated in-app to one of three conditions (1:1:1). The information condition will receive information, replicating usual care. Additionally to what the information condition receives, the motivation condition will receive content targeting motivational processes. Additionally to what the motivation condition receives, the action condition will receive content targeting volitional and automatic processes.The primary outcome is weekly minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, as measured by an activity tracker (Fitbit Inspire 2). Secondary outcomes include weekly average of Fitbit-measured daily resting heart rate, and self-reported body mass index, waist-hip ratio, cardiorespiratory fitness and subjective well-being. Tertiary outcomes include self-reported variables representing motivational, volitional, and automatic processes. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 3 and 12 months post-intervention. Physical activity will also be investigated at intervention midpoint. Efficacy will be determined by available case analysis. A process evaluation will be performed based on programme fidelity and acceptability measures.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The Medical Ethics Committee of the Erasmus MC has approved this study (MEC-2020-0981). Results will be published in peer reviewed scientific journals and presented at scientific conferences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Netherlands trial register, NL9329.

Using an Integrated Social Cognition Model to Explain Green Purchasing Behavior among Adolescents

Strengthening pro-environmental behaviors such as green purchasing behavior is important for environmental sustainability. An integrated social cognition model which incorporates constructs from habit theory, health action process approach (HAPA), and theory of planned behavior (TPB) is adopted to understand Iranian adolescents' green purchasing behavior. Using a correlational-prospective design, the study recruited Iranian adolescents aged between 14 and 19 years (N = 2374, n = 1362 (57.4%) females, n = 1012 (42.6%) males; Mean (SD) age = 15.56 (1.22)). At baseline (T1), participants self-reported on the following constructs: past behavior; habit strength (from habit theory); action planning and coping planning (from HAPA); and intention, perceived behavioral control, subjective norm, and attitude (from TPB) with respect to green purchasing behavior. Six months later (T2), participants self-reported on their actions in terms of purchasing green goods. Our findings reported direct effects of perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, attitude, and past behavior on intention; intention and perceived behavioral control on green purchase behavior; intention on two types of planning (i.e., action and coping planning); both types of planning on green purchase behavior; and past green purchase behavior and habits on prospectively measured green purchase behavior. These results indicate that adolescent green purchasing behavior is underpinned by constructs representing motivational, volitional, and automatic processes. This knowledge can help inform the development of theory-based behavior change interventions to improve green purchasing in adolescents, a key developmental period where climate change issues are salient and increased independence and demands in making self-guided decisions are needed.

The role of environmental cues in sugar-sweetened beverage consumption using a temporal self-regulation theory framework

Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is related to adverse health outcomes such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes. The present research further examined the utility of the temporal self-regulation theory in predicting sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. In addition, the research aimed to identify salient cues that trigger intake. Two-hundred and eighty-seven participants were recruited using convenience sampling in US and Australian populations. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used, and the final model accounted for 27.1% of the variance in consumption, providing partial support for the temporal self-regulation theory (ƒ² = 0.37). Intention accounted for a significant 7.0% of variance (R² = 0.07, p < .001), behavioural prepotency variables (past behaviour, habit, and cues) together combined for an additional 15.1% of variance (R² = 0.15, p < .001), but neither measure of self-regulatory capacity (trait self-control, inhibition) was a significant predictor. No cues emerged as unique predictors, however the findings suggest that consumption may be influenced by a combination of cues across different situations. Behavioural prepotency moderated the intention-behaviour relationship such that as behavioural prepotency increased, the greater the influence intention had on behaviour. Further support for the role of both intention and automatic processes in sugar-sweetened beverage consumption was garnered, but more research is needed to identify when specific cues influence consumption most.

Mind the gap: Habit and self-determined motivation predict health behaviours in middle-aged and older adults

OBJECTIVES

Physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption are two key health behaviours associated with the health and well-being of middle-aged and older adults. The present research investigated how habit and self-determined motivation interact with intention to prospectively predict physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption in middle-aged and older adults.

DESIGN

A prospective correlational design (two data collection points) was used.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 195 adults completed online questionnaires measuring intention, habit, and self-determined motivation. One week later, 177 participants (67.2% female), aged 52-87 years (M = 61.50, SD = 5.90), completed self-report measures of physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption over the previous week.

RESULTS

Separate hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted. For physical activity, the model explained 46% of the variance in behaviour, F(8, 168) = 17.88, p < .001 and a large effect size (ƒ2  = .85). Two-way interactions contributed an additional 3.70% of unique variance in physical activity, F(3, 165) = 4.07, p = .008, ƒ2  = .04. For fruit and vegetable consumption, the model explained 19.20% of the variance in behaviour, F(5, 171) = 8.13, p < .001 and a medium effect size (ƒ2  = .24). Two-way interactions did not significantly improve the model, F(3, 168) = 1.68, p = .174.

CONCLUSIONS

Habit and self-determined motivation were both important in narrowing the intention-behaviour gap for two key health behaviours, and combining these processes may better inform strategies to support people's intentions to improve these health behaviours.

Investigating the role of self-control beliefs in predicting exercise behaviour: A longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Engaging in exercise behaviour regularly requires a repeated investment of resources to reap the health benefits. An individual's self-control resources, when performing a behaviour can be perceived as being recharged or depleted. The investigation on how self-control beliefs resources predict exercise behaviour is very limited in the literature. The purpose of this study was to understand how self-control beliefs predict exercise behaviour across time in a physical activity model.

METHODS

Participants (N = 161) were a sample of adults recruited across twelve gyms and recreation centres in a large city. Participants completed surveys across five months. Data were analysed using a multilevel structural equation model with participants (level 2) nested within time (level 1).

RESULTS

Behaviour was found to be a function of intention, habit, and planning. Specifically, planning moderated the intention-behaviour relationship, where those who scored higher on planning engaged in more exercise. Self-control beliefs functioned as a proximal predictor of autonomous motivation and predicted habit, and intention when accounting for total effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-control beliefs played a pivotal role in supporting recognized exercise determinants. Exercise-focussed interventions that help participants strengthen their beliefs as recharging and reduce depletion beliefs could be beneficial for promoting regular exercise.

I am what I am: A meta-analysis of the association between substance user identities and substance use-related outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Research indicates that a substance user identity (i.e., drinking, smoking, and marijuana identity) is positively correlated with substance use-related outcomes (e.g., frequency, quantity, consequences, and disorder symptoms). The current study aimed to meta-analytically derive single, weighted effect size estimates of the identity-outcome association as well as to examine moderators (e.g., substance use type, explicit/implicit assessment, demographic characteristics, and research design) of this association.

METHOD

Random effects meta-analysis was conducted on 70 unique samples that assessed substance user identity and at least one substance use-related outcome (frequency, quantity, consequences, and/or disorder symptoms), and provided the necessary information for effect size calculations.

RESULTS

Substance user identity was found to be a statistically significant moderate-to-large correlate of all substance use-related outcomes examined in the current study (r _w = .365, p < .001, r_w² = .133). The strongest associations were observed between identity and disorder symptoms (alcohol) and frequency of substance use (tobacco or marijuana). In terms of moderators of the identity-outcome association, the link between explicit drinking identity and alcohol use-related outcomes appeared to be stronger in magnitude than the relationship between implicit drinking identity and alcohol use-related outcomes; however, this difference appears to be largely due to the finding that implicit measures have lower reliability. The strongest identity-outcome association was observed among younger individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

Substance user identity is clearly an important correlate of substance use-related outcomes and this association is stronger among younger individuals. Additional theoretical, empirical, and intervention research is needed to utilize knowledge gleaned from the current study on the identity-outcome association. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Evidence That Habit Moderates the Implicit Belief-Behavior Relationship in Health Behaviors

BACKGROUND

Theory suggests that implicit beliefs are more likely to be associated with spontaneous, impulsive health behaviors (e.g., smoking, snacking), while controlled, consciously accessible beliefs are more likely to be associated with behaviors that require deliberation and reasoned decision-making (e.g., physical activity, healthy food selection). Consistent with these predictions, we proposed that as behaviors become habitual, they require less deliberation to enact and are thus more likely to be controlled by non-conscious processes, as indicated by stronger associations with implicit beliefs. The present study tested the moderating effect of habit on the effects of implicit beliefs on two health behaviors.

METHOD

Two samples of university students completed measures of attitude, habit, and implicit beliefs for free-sugar intake (sample 1) and heavy episodic drinking (sample 2) at an initial time point, with follow-up behavioral measures taken at 2 and 4 weeks later, respectively.

RESULTS

Path analyses indicated that attitude and habit predicted behavior in both samples, and habit moderated the implicit belief-behavior relationship in both samples. The effect of implicit beliefs on behavior was larger among participants reporting strong habits. Implicit beliefs did not moderate the effect of explicit attitudes on behavior.

CONCLUSION

Findings provide preliminary evidence that experiencing health behaviors as habitual is associated with a stronger implicit beliefs-health behavior relationship.

Understanding alcohol harm reduction behaviors from the perspective of self-determination theory: A research agenda

The evidence for the efficacy of harm reduction approaches to harmful alcohol use has accumulated over the past 30 years. Self-determination theory (SDT; Ryan and Deci 2017) offers a useful framework for understanding why people engage in alcohol harm reduction behaviors, as well as for delineating active ingredients of harm reduction interventions and individual characteristics that influence response to intervention. In the current paper, we sought to advance a research agenda for applying SDT to alcohol harm reduction behaviors. Specifically, we provide specific examples of the utility of SDT in advancing research on alcohol harm reduction behaviors and provide recommendations for future studies to address issues related to measurement, generalizability, temporal directionality, and causal relationships in examining the constructs of SDT and alcohol harm reduction behaviors. We also suggest that future research apply SDT to advance the understanding of how, why, and for whom harm reduction interventions are most effective. Finally, we provide recommendations for how SDT could potentially be applied to develop novel alcohol interventions.

Profiles of motivations for responsible drinking among college students: A self-determination theory perspective

The present study sought to identify motivational profiles for responsible drinking from a self-determination theory (SDT) perspective among college students. We used data from 507 students who reported drinking alcohol at least once in the past 3 months that were recruited from a random sample of undergraduate students at a Southwestern university. Participants completed an online survey that included measures assessing amotivation, external regulation, introjected regulation, and autonomous motivation for responsible drinking as well as other SDT constructs, alcohol protective behavioral strategies (PBS), and alcohol use/problems. A latent profile analysis suggested that a 3-class solution was optimal: a "High Quality" class (i.e., relatively high on introjected regulation and autonomous motivation but relatively low on all other types of motivation), a "High Quantity" class (i.e., relatively high on all types of motivation), and a "Low Quantity" class (i.e., relatively low on all types of motivation). The High Quality class reported the highest level of psychological need satisfaction and dispositional autonomy, followed by the High Quantity class, with the Low Quantity class reporting the lowest levels. The High Quality class reported more frequent use of serious harm reduction PBS than the High Quantity class. Generally, both the High Quality and High Quantity classes reported more frequent use of all types of PBS and less alcohol use/problems than the Low Quantity class. These results provide initial support for different profiles of motivations based on SDT for responsible drinking. Potential implications for alcohol interventions among college students are discussed.

Using an integrated social cognition model to predict COVID-19 preventive behaviours

Objectives

Rates of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infections have rapidly increased worldwide and reached pandemic proportions. A suite of preventive behaviours have been recommended to minimize risk of COVID‐19 infection in the general population. The present study utilized an integrated social cognition model to explain COVID‐19 preventive behaviours in a sample from the Iranian general population.

Design

The study adopted a three‐wave prospective correlational design.

Methods

Members of the general public (N = 1,718, M_age = 33.34, SD = 15.77, male = 796, female = 922) agreed to participate in the study. Participants completed self‐report measures of demographic characteristics, intention, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, and action self‐efficacy at an initial data collection occasion. One week later, participants completed self‐report measures of maintenance self‐efficacy, action planning and coping planning, and, a further week later, measures of COVID‐19 preventive behaviours. Hypothesized relationships among social cognition constructs and COVID‐19 preventive behaviours according to the proposed integrated model were estimated using structural equation modelling.

Results

The proposed model fitted the data well according to multiple goodness‐of‐fit criteria. All proposed relationships among model constructs were statistically significant. The social cognition constructs with the largest effects on COVID‐19 preventive behaviours were coping planning (β = .575, p < .001) and action planning (β = .267, p < .001).

Conclusions

Current findings may inform the development of behavioural interventions in health care contexts by identifying intervention targets. In particular, findings suggest targeting change in coping planning and action planning may be most effective in promoting participation in COVID‐19 preventive behaviours.

Testing a model of reward sensitivity, implicit and explicit drinker identity and hazardous drinking

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate both implicit and explicit drinker identity as mediators of reward sensitivity and problematic drinking. University students engage in problematic levels of alcohol consumption, exposing them to increased negative health outcomes. Although personality traits (e.g. reward sensitivity) and social-cognitive variables (e.g. implicit and explicit drinker identity) have been used to investigate drinking behaviour, few studies link personality and multiple indices of drinker identity to problematic drinking. Design: University students (N = 136) completed a drinker identity implicit association test, and questionnaires measuring reward sensitivity, explicit binge drinker identity and problematic drinking as part of a lab-based correlational study. Main Outcome Measures: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test was the main outcome measure with participants self-reporting drinking frequency, quantity and negative physical and psychological outcomes of drinking over the past 3-months. Results: A mediation model revealed that reward sensitivity was significantly associated with explicit, but not implicit, binge drinker identity. Explicit binge drinker identity mediated the reward sensitivity and problematic drinking association. Conclusion: This research provides an evidence base for identity-based drinking interventions for students characterised by high reward sensitivity, by promoting identities that do not idealise problematic drinking behaviour.