1. Messages focused on the effect of alcohol on the immune system boosted intention to adhere to alcohol intake guidelines during Covid-19 lockdown.
- Author
-
Walker, Fiona C. and de Visser, Richard O.
- Subjects
- *
PREVENTION of alcoholism , *STATISTICAL power analysis , *HEALTH literacy , *HEALTH impact assessment , *RESEARCH funding , *CRONBACH'S alpha , *RISK-taking behavior , *STATISTICAL sampling , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *RANDOMIZED controlled trials , *ANALYSIS of covariance , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *STAY-at-home orders , *PRE-tests & post-tests , *INTENTION , *HEALTH behavior , *ALCOHOL drinking , *HEALTH promotion , *CONFIDENCE intervals , *HEALTH education , *IMMUNITY , *COVID-19 pandemic - Abstract
Objective: Research shows that personal relevance may affect the impact of alcohol-related health information. This study explored alcohol consumption during the UK Covid-19 lockdown, and whether a message emphasising the effect of alcohol on the immune system was more effective in altering intentions to follow low-risk drinking guidelines than other messages about the effects of alcohol on health. Methods & Measures: From April to June 2020, 953 drinkers completed an online questionnaire, and were randomly allocated to exposure to a control condition or one of three messages emphasising the impact of alcohol on: the immune system; mental health; or physical health. Outcome variables were: concern about alcohol intake, and intention to adhere to low-risk drinking guidelines. Results: Pre-post ANCOVAs revealed that participants in the immunity message group had significantly stronger intention to adhere to low-risk guidelines than the control group (after controlling for initial intention). Concern for the effect of alcohol on health was not significantly affected. Conclusion: During Covid-19 lockdown, a message emphasising the impact of alcohol on the immune-system had a greater effect on intention to observe low-risk drinking guidelines than other messages. Contextually relevant messages could be used for alcohol health campaigns and for improving alcohol labelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF