Expectancy challenge interventions to reduce alcohol consumption among high school and college students: A meta-analysis.

Abstract

Objective: Alcohol expectancies are a critical factor in the development of problematic alcohol use. Expectancy challenge (EC) interventions aim to manipulate positive alcohol expectancies to reduce or prevent alcohol use among young people. The present meta-analysis investigated the effects of ECs at changing expectations and alcohol use among high school and college students, and moderating effects of study and individual characteristics on these changes. Method: A total of 23 EC studies (N = 4,122; mean age = 19.0; 57% males) was included as they reported enough information to calculate effect sizes, had a control condition that did not receive an active intervention, and were presented as of August 1, 2020. Two independent coders coded relevant variables and calculated effect sizes at posttest using a random-effects model. Results: ECs showed significant yet small effects at modifying alcohol consumption and alcohol expectancies in the desired direction (g's ranged from −.18 to −.42). Changes in social, tension, liquid courage, and risk aggression expectancies explained significant variance in change in alcohol use. The effects of ECs at changing social, sexual, tension, and liquid courage expectancies were stronger among college students compared to high school students. More favorable results were observed for interventions delivered at a higher dose. Conclusions: ECs targeting high school and college students produce small effects at reducing alcohol use and changing alcohol expectancies. Future efforts are needed to determine under which circumstances and among which subgroups ECs are expected to produce greater effects. Public Health Significance StatementThis meta-analysis suggests that EC interventions modestly reduce alcohol use among college and high school students, and that ECs that target college students and that are delivered at a higher dose can produce more favorable effects.

Change in alcohol outcome expectancies from childhood to emerging adulthood: A meta‐analysis of longitudinal studies

“…Similarly, the methods of delivery have to be adjusted to the targeted age group: While administration of alcohol in an experimental bar setting is an appropriate element of expectancy challenging interventions with college students, a non-bar delivery format (e.g. use of videos or other didactic material) would be needed for younger populations who are not in the legal drinking age [40].…”

Initial validation of the expectancies for Benzodiazepine Analgesia Scale.

“…Second, psychosocial interventions in pain populations have been effective in promoting use of alternate, more adaptive means of coping with pain (Kashikar-Zuck et al, 2013; Keefe et al, 1990), and these could be tailored to address BZD-related pain coping. Finally, outcome expectancies can be targeted directly to reduce substance use behaviors (Gesualdo & Pinquart, 2021). For example, a manipulation of analgesia expectancies for cigarette smoking was previously shown to decrease urge to smoke and increase latency to cigarette use (Ditre et al, 2010).…”

“…This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly. reduce substance use behaviors (Gesualdo & Pinquart, 2021). For example, a manipulation of analgesia expectancies for cigarette smoking was previously shown to decrease urge to smoke and increase latency to cigarette use (Ditre et al, 2010).…”

Influences on change in expected and actual health behaviors among first-year university students

“…Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that changes in expectations may lead to behavior change. A meta-analysis examining the effects of expectancy challenge (EC) interventions among college students in the United States and Europe showed that a reduction of student's positive alcohol expectations achieved through participation in the EC was related to a significant decrease in positive alcohol expectations (Gesualdo & Pinquart, 2021 ).…”