College student freshmen were invited to participate in a study on the use of alcohol protective behavioral strategies. They were randomly assigned to receive a positive message about individuals that used protective strategies, a negative message about individuals that did not use protective strategies, or an assessment control. They were then followed for the next 12 months. Assessments were completed at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 26, and 52.
This study tested a deviance regulation theory intervention in a sample of university freshman. The aims were to (a) increase use of protective behavioral strategies, (b) decrease alcohol use, and (c) decrease alcohol-related consequences.