A randomized control trial of a deviance regulation theory intervention to increase alcohol protective strategies.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Normative feedback remains an effective approach to reducing alcohol use among college students. However, this approach is difficult to extend to protective behavioral strategies (PBS), which are proximal to alcohol-related problems. Deviance Regulation Theory (DRT) is a social psychology theory that posits individuals choose engage in behaviors to standout out in positive ways or avoid standing out in negative ways. The current study tests a DRT-based randomized control trial. METHOD: College student drinkers (n = 130) reported on PBS norm frequency, alcohol use, and PBS use. They were then randomly assigned to receive a positive message about PBS users, a negative message about non-PBS users, or a control. They reported on weekly PBS use, alcohol use, and alcohol problems for 10 weeks. RESULTS: Consistent with DRT, there were immediate post-intervention effects on PBS use for individuals who believed PBS was uncommon and who also received a positive message. This remained stable across time. There was significant growth in PBS use among individuals who received a negative message and who believed PBS use was common. The intervention was not directly associated with alcohol use or problems. However, PBS use was associated with average alcohol use and lower weekly and global alcohol problems. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that a DRT intervention may increase PBS use. This may translate into lower alcohol use and fewer alcohol-related problems. The results also identify conditions under which positive and negative messages are indicated.

Test of a deviance regulation theory intervention among first-year college student drinkers: Differential effects via frequency and quantity norms.

“…DRT has been shown to increase PBS use and subsequently decrease alcohol consumption and alcohol consequences in college student drinkers (Dvorak et al, 2017;Dvorak et al, 2015;Dvorak, Troop-Gordon, et al, 2018;Sargent et al, 2018). This has been observed both in regular drinking environments (Dvorak et al, 2015;Dvorak, Troop-Gordon, et al, 2018), as well as unique environments such as during Spring Break (Dvorak et al, 2017;Sargent et al, 2018).…”

“…Social norming highlights pressures students might feel to "fit in" at school, and the value of a norm debiasing intervention is that it works off that existing motive so that "fitting in" transforms from a desire to drink heavily and irresponsibly to a desire to drink in moderation and responsibly. But, college students are also motivated by the desire to "stand out" and this motive can also influence alcohol-related decisions Dvorak et al, 2017;Dvorak et al, 2016;Dvorak et al, 2015;Dvorak, Troop-Gordon, et al, 2018). Indeed, Ferrer and colleagues (2012) have shown that transitions in drinking among FTIC students may hinge on their need to differentiate themselves from the social norm.…”

“…Blanton, Stuart, & Van den Eijnden (2001) found that messages designed to encourage or promote healthy behavior were most effective when unhealthy behaviors were perceived to be most common (normative), whereas messages designed to discourage or prevent unhealthy behaviors were most effective when healthy behaviors were perceived to be most common (normative). Since this early work, a series of studies by Dvorak and colleagues have tested the effects of DRTbased interventions on substance use behaviors and found it has utility (Dvorak et al, 2017;Dvorak et al, 2016;Dvorak et al, 2015;Dvorak, Troop-Gordon, et al, 2018;Sargent et al, 2018).…”

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“…DRT is a social psychology theory which posits that individuals will strive to "stand-out" in desirable ways or to "fit-in" to avoid deviating from social norms in undesirable ways, as a way to maintain a desired self-image (15). DRT has been most utilized to target substance use behaviors (16,17). However, DRT has been used to target various other health behaviors including, unsafe driving (18), risk-taking (19), flu immunizations, and condom use (15).…”

Test of a Deviance Regulation Theory Intervention Among First Year College Student Drinkers: Differential Effects via Frequency and Quantity Norms

“…Since this early work, a series of studies by Dvorak and colleagues have tested the effects of DRTbased interventions on substance use behaviors and found it has utility (Dvorak et al, 2017;Dvorak et al, 2016;Dvorak et al, 2015;Dvorak, Troop-Gordon, et al, 2018;Sargent et al, 2018).…”