A volitional help sheet to reduce alcohol consumption in the general population: a field experiment

Prev Sci. 2012 Dec;13(6):635-43. doi: 10.1007/s11121-012-0291-4.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alcohol Drinking / prevention & control*
  • Alcohol Drinking / psychology
  • England
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Young Adult