• Energy Research

OBJECTIVE: First-time-in-college (FTIC) students, or college freshmen, are at a heightened risk of experiencing alcohol-related consequences, as these individuals are relatively inexperienced with alcohol and have tremendous pressure to assimilate to new norms. The current study investigates the use of a Deviance Regulation Theory (DRT) intervention, presented in a web-based format, to increase the use of Protective Behavioral Strategies (PBS) among FTIC students. METHOD: FTIC students (n = 157) completed weekly surveys for six weeks, which examined alcohol use and consequences, PBS use, and perceived PBS norms. Participants were randomly assigned one of three conditions: 1) a positive-framed message about individuals who do use PBS, 2) a negative-framed message about individuals who do not use PBS, or 3) a control group that received no messaging. RESULTS: Results suggest the negative-framed message increases PBS use across time for individuals high PBS norms, consistent with DRT. The positive-frame message did not change PBS use across time. However, the positive message was associated with more PBS use at the weekly-level when an individual had low PBS norms, consistent with DRT. Results also suggest PBS norms grew across time. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide initial support for the use of a DRT prevention program for FTIC students.

AbstractBackgroundAttentional bias (AB) has been linked to alcohol use, mood, and alcohol craving, with key differences across different types of mood and biological sex. However, further exploration of the role of AB across these alcohol variables is needed. The current study examined the relationship between mood and AB as predictors of alcohol craving using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Exploratory analysis examined these effects as a function of biological sex.MethodsParticipants (n = 69) from a Midwestern University carried a mobile device for 15 days and provided ratings of momentary mood (positive mood, anxious mood, and sad mood), alcohol craving, and AB. Data were analyzed using a two‐level multilevel regression model, with associations between craving, mood, and AB examined at both the momentary and between‐subjects levels.ResultsAcross assessments, positive and negative moods were positively associated with momentary craving, with AB found to operate differently between men and women. At the within‐subjects level, increases in positive mood among men strengthened the AB‐craving association, while women showed stronger AB‐craving associations when positive mood decreased. At the between‐subjects level, trait‐like sadness led to positive AB‐craving associations for men, however, this was the opposite for women. Similarly, AB‐craving associations were positive and robust for men with trait‐like positive mood but again the opposite was observed for women.ConclusionsThe findings highlight the importance and nuances of biological sex in the context of mood, AB, and craving. Interventions targeting AB and/or emotion regulation may yield different outcomes for men and women.

Objective: Alcohol use continues to be prevalent and problematic among young adult samples. Protective behavioral strategies (PBS), which are harm reduction strategies utilized while drinking, have been linked to decreased alcohol use and subsequent alcohol-related problems. An individual's likelihood of adopting PBS and other health behaviors, according to The Health Belief Model (HBM), is dependent on perceived susceptibility to and severity of adverse health outcomes, as well as perceived benefits and barriers related to implementing those behaviors. The present study examined whether the perceived effectiveness of PBS in the context of the HBM leads to an increase in PBS use. Method: The analytic sample (n =694 college students, Mage =20.21, SD =4.37, 63.26% female, 72.05% Caucasian) self-reported demographics, weekly alcohol consumption (i.e., frequency, intensity, and quantity), alcohol-related problems, use of PBS, and perceived effectiveness of PBS use. A latent variable model was used to test the effect of perceived PBS effectiveness on PBS use, alcohol consumption, and alcohol-related problems. Results: Perceived PBS effectiveness was associated with a higher likelihood of using PBS subtypes (Manner of Drinking, Stopping/Limiting Drinking, and Serious Harm Reduction), which in turn was associated with reductions in alcohol consumption and problems. Conclusions: These findings suggest that increasing perceptions of PBS effectiveness may lead to more PBS use, decreased alcohol consumption, and fewer alcohol-related problems. Future research could implement longitudinal methodology to assess attempts to increase perceived effectiveness of PBS use and potentially establish a causal link between these perceptions, PBS use, and alcohol-related outcomes.