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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2009 Dec;23(4):684-8.
doi: 10.1037/a0016235.

Thinking about drinking: need for cognition and readiness to change moderate the effects of brief alcohol interventions

Christy Capone  1 , Mark D Wood
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Thinking about drinking: need for cognition and readiness to change moderate the effects of brief alcohol interventions

Christy Capone et al. Psychol Addict Behav. 2009 Dec.

Abstract

Research has demonstrated the efficacy of brief motivational interventions (BMI) and alcohol expectancy challenge (AEC) in reducing alcohol use and/or problems among college students. However, little is known about variables that may qualify the effectiveness of these approaches. The present analyses tested the hypothesis that need for cognition (NFC), impulsivity/sensation seeking (IMPSS) and readiness to change (RTC) would moderate the effects of BMI and AEC. Participants (N = 335) were heavy drinking college students enrolled in a randomized 2 x 2 factorial study of BMI and AEC. Latent growth curve analyses indicated significant interactions for BMI x NFC and AEC x RTC on alcohol use but not problems. Simple slopes analyses were used to probe these relationships and revealed that higher levels of NFC at baseline were associated with a stronger BMI effect on drinking outcomes over time. Similarly, higher levels of baseline RTC were associated with stronger AEC effects on alcohol use. Future preventive interventions with this population may profit by considering individual differences and targeting approaches accordingly.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Moderation by NFC on total alcohol use (TLSUM).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Moderation by RTC on heavy episodic drinking (TLBNG).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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