Mental Contrasting With Implementation Intentions Reduces Drinking When Drinking Is Hazardous: An Online Self-Regulation Intervention. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wittleder, Sandra; Kappes, Andreas; Oettingen, Gabriele; Gollwitzer, Peter M.; Jay, Melanie; Morgenstern, Jon
• Is Part Of: Health education & behavior. Volume 46:Number 4(2019:Aug.)
• Page Start: 666
• Page End: 676
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: alcohol -- computer-mediated health promotion -- Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) -- self-guided brief intervention -- self-regulation; Health education -- Periodicals; Health behavior -- Periodicals; 613.05
• DOI: 10.1177/1090198119826284
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1090-1981

Abstract

Introduction . Drinking alcohol has detrimental health consequences, and effective interventions to reduce hazardous drinking are needed. The self-regulation intervention of Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) promotes behavior change across a variety of health behaviors. In this study, we tested if online delivery of MCII reduced hazardous drinking in people who were worried about their drinking. Method . Participants ( N = 200, female = 107) were recruited online. They were randomized to learn MCII or solve simple math problems (control). Results . Immediately after the intervention, participants in the MCII condition (vs. control) reported an increased commitment to reduce drinking. After 1 month, they reported having taken action measured by the Readiness to Change drinking scale. When drinking was hazardous (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test ≥ 8, n = 85), participants in the MCII condition indicated a decreased number of drinking days, exp(β) = 0.47, CI (confidence interval) [−1.322, −.207], p = .02, and drinks per week, exp(β) = 0.57, CI [0.94, 5.514], p = .007, compared with the control condition. Discussion . These findings demonstrate that a brief, self-guided online intervention ( Mdn = 28 minutes) can reduce drinking in people who worry about their drinking. Our findings show a higher impact in people at risk for hazardous drinking. Conclusion . MCII is scalable as an online intervention. Future studies should test the cost-effectiveness of the intervention in real-world settings.