Do gender and year of study affect the ability of the theory of planned behaviour to predict binge-drinking intentions and episodes?

John M. Barratt*, Richard Cooke

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: The present study tested the utility of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), augmented with anticipated regret, as a model to predict binge-drinking intentions and episodes among female and male undergraduates and undergraduates in different years of study. Method: Undergraduate students (N = 180, 54 males, 126 females, 60 per year of study) completed baseline measures of demographic variables, binge-drinking episodes (BDE), TPB constructs and anticipated regret. BDE were assessed one-week later. Results: The TPB accounted for 60% of the variance in female undergraduates' intentions and 54% of the variance in male undergraduates' intentions. The TPB accounted for 57% of the variance in intentions in first-year undergraduates, 63% of the variance in intentions in second-year undergraduates and 68% of the variance in intentions in final-year undergraduates. Follow-up BDE was predicted by intentions and baseline BDE for female undergraduates as well as second- and final-year undergraduates. Baseline BDE predicted male undergraduates’ follow-up BDE and first-year undergraduates’ follow-up BDE. Conclusion: Results show that while the TPB constructs predict undergraduates’ binge-drinking intentions, intentions only predict BDE in female undergraduates, second- and final-year undergraduates. Implications of these findings for interventions to reduce binge drinking are outlined.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)181-188
JournalDrugs: Education, Prevention and Policy
Volume25
Issue number2
Early online date23 Nov 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Bibliographical note

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy on 23/11/16, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/09687637.2016.1257564

Keywords

  • alcohol
  • binge drinking
  • gender
  • regret
  • TPB
  • year of study

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