The role of neuropsychological mechanisms in implementation intentions to reduce alcohol consumption among heavy drinkers: a randomized trial



McGrath, Elly, Elliott, Rebecca, Millar, Tim and Armitage, Christopher J
(2020) The role of neuropsychological mechanisms in implementation intentions to reduce alcohol consumption among heavy drinkers: a randomized trial JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, 43 (4). pp. 576-586. ISSN 0160-7715, 1573-3521

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Abstract

Implementation intention formation, which involves identifying triggers and linking them with coping strategies, has proven effective at reducing alcohol consumption in general populations. For the first time, the present study tested the ability of implementation intentions to reduce alcohol consumption among heavy drinkers and to explore potential neuropsychological mechanisms. At baseline, participants were randomized to form implementation intentions or to an active control group. There was a 5.7 unit (1 unit = 10 ml or 8 g ethanol) per week reduction ([95%CI 0.15, 11.19], p = 0.048) in alcohol consumption at 1 month follow-up among participants who formed implementation intentions, which was significantly more than controls F(1, 91) = 3.95, p = 0.048, a medium effect size (d = 0.47, Cohen, 1992). No significant differences in performance on the neuropsychological tasks were found between groups. The present study demonstrates for the first time that implementation intentions reduce alcohol consumption among heavy drinkers.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Implementation intentions, Alcohol, Heavy drinking, Behaviour change
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 30 Sep 2019 09:32
Last Modified: 16 Jun 2026 14:08
DOI: 10.1007/s10865-019-00078-5
Open Access URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-019-00078-5
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URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3056427
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