Alcohol Consumption: Norms, Identities, & Motivations

The emergence of new problematic alcohol consumption practices among young people requires new dynamics in prevention strategies. In this context, the ADUC project (Alcohol and Drugs at the University of Caen) aims to develop a better understanding of alcohol consumption, and in particular the practice of binge drinking (BD), in order to develop relevant and adapted prevention tools. The ALCONIM study (IRESP funding; Agreement 20II31-00 - ADUC part 3) is a randomized controlled trial that focuses on the specific determinants of norms, identities and motivations. The main objective of this experiment in social psychology is to validate a program for the prevention of BD practices based on motivational interviewing (MI) associated with induced hypocrisy (IH), social identity mapping (SIM) and motivational modeling (MM) in a student environment.

Context. The emergence of new problematic alcohol consumption practices among young people requires new dynamics in prevention strategies. In this context, the ADUC project (Alcohol and Drugs at the University of Caen) aims to develop a better understanding of alcohol consumption, and in particular the practice of binge drinking (BD), in order to develop relevant and adapted prevention tools. The first step, logistically supported by the University of Caen, consisted in identifying the levels of alcohol consumption of students, the prevalence of binge drinking, and their determinants. Based on more than 7000 participants interviewed, it essentially demonstrated 1) an alarming 22% prevalence of BD among students and 2) three main psychological determinants (see Mange et al., 2021), namely subjective norm (i.e., perception of what is done and/or approved by peers), drinker identity (i.e., how the individual defines him/herself as a drinker), and motivations to drink (social, compliance, enhancement, or coping motivations). Objective. The ALCOMEDIIT study (IRESP funding; Agreement 20II31-00

- ADUC part 3) is a randomized controlled trial . The main objective of this experiment in social psychology is to validate three programs for the prevention of BD practices based on motivational interviewing (MI) associated either induced hypocrisy (IH), social identity mapping (SIM) and motivational modeling (MM) in a student environment..

Materials and Methods. This study will include 240 healthy subjects who will be students at the University of Caen Normandy. They will be people who consume alcohol, having a BD score \> 1 in the month preceding the inclusion but not presenting any specific disorder. The trial will be proposed to them by e-mail and the people who meet the inclusion criteria will join either a control group which will benefit from a MI, or an experimental group which will also benefit from a MI but which will be associated with one out of our three psycho-social interventions (IH vs. SIm vs. MM). In order to measure the effectiveness of each prevention program in terms of reducing the use of BD, a follow-up at 1 month (T1) as well as a follow-up at 6 months (T6; exploratory) will be proposed to all participants. The total duration of this research protocol is almost two years. Hypothesis tested. The aim of this work is to evaluate the interest of associating IH, SIM or MM with a motivational interview in a prevention program aiming at reducing alcohol use and the practice of BD in the student population.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* aged between 18 and 30 years old,
* of French mother language,
* of both sexes,
* binge drinking score \> 1,
* having signed an informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant or breastfeeding students,
* students who declare a history of neurological, neurosurgical, psychiatric, endocrine or infectious diseases.