Abstract (As originally submitted):
Anticipated regret is a "cognitive emotion" - one that involves both thinking about the future and imagining potential feelings. Previous research has demonstrated that anticipated regret plays a role in various health and safety behaviors; however, little research has examined anticipated regret in the context of binge drinking. Does anticipated regret predict intentions to avoid binge drinking and, in turn, do these intentions predict self-reported binge drinking one month later? The present research tested this question. In Study 1 (a pilot), 109 undergraduates completed an online measure assessing their personal definitions of binge drinking, as well as a measure tapping extended Theory of Planned Behavior variables: attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, descriptive norms, past behavior, and anticipated regret. In Study 2, 168 undergraduates completed a revised version of the Study 1 measure. In addition, 67 of these participants reported one month later on whether they had engaged in binge drinking over the past month, and if so, the number of binge-drinking days. Means of all Time 1 variables did not significantly differ between participants who did vs. did not provide Time 2 data. In both studies, anticipated regret for failing to avoid binge drinking significantly and uniquely predicted intentions to avoid binge drinking. In Study 2, intentions predicted self-reported binge drinking behavior. Although past drinking behavior most strongly predicted intentions, this variable is not amenable to change. Thus, anticipated regret may offer a promising intervention target, as it is malleable.
PowerPoint version of poster is attached.
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Erika Koch, Ph.D.