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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2865-2878 |
| Journal | Addictive Behaviors |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue number | 12 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2007 |
Cite this
van de Luitgaarden, J., Wiers, R. W. H. J., Knibbe, R. A., & Candel, M. J. J. M. (2007). Single-session expectancy challenge with young heavy drinkers on holiday. Addictive Behaviors, 32(12), 2865-2878. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2007.04.023