Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of an Expectancy Challenge Intervention for Food and Alcohol Disturbance Among College Students
University of Wyoming
Summary
This study aims to create and test an intervention that helps college students re-evaluate their beliefs about food and alcohol disturbance (FAD) and, in turn, reduce how often they engage in it or intend to in the future. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does the intervention help students have less positive beliefs about the effects of FAD and more negative beliefs about its effects? 2. If college students' beliefs about FAD change, does that lead them to engage in it less often or plan to do it less? 3. Will college students who engage in FAD sign up for the study, complete it, and feel that the intervention is helpful and valuable? Participants will take part in one 2-hour in-person laboratory-based study session where they will fill out surveys, learn about FAD, and engage in exercises designed to challenge their existing beliefs about it. They will also complete a follow-up survey online one month after their in-person study visit.
Description
Food and alcohol disturbance (FAD) is the use of any compensatory behavior (e.g., caloric restriction) within the context of a drinking episode for the purpose of 1) compensating for alcohol-related calories and/or 2) enhancing the effects of alcohol. FAD occurs at alarmingly high rates among undergraduates and is associated with a myriad of deleterious consequences. Expectancy effects (i.e., beliefs regarding the anticipated outcomes of a behavior) have been shown to influence the initiation and maintenance of alcohol and disordered eating behaviors. Prior work suggests that expectancies for…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Must be between the ages of 18 and 25 2. Must report engaging in FAD at least two times over the past month Exclusion Criteria: 1. They have a current or past history of receiving psychological treatment for their alcohol use and/or eating behaviors 2. They are currently trying to reduce their drinking
Interventions
- BehavioralFood and alcohol disturbance expectancy challenge
The intervention will focus on strengthening negative FAD expectancies and weakening positive FAD expectancies.
Location
- University of WyomingLaramie, Wyoming