Can Answering Questions Change Drinking Behaviour?
Author Information
Author(s): Jim McCambridge, Kypros Kypri
Primary Institution: London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Hypothesis
Does answering questions about drinking behavior in brief intervention trials influence subsequent self-reported drinking behavior?
Conclusion
Answering questions on drinking in brief intervention trials appears to alter subsequent self-reported behavior, potentially generating bias.
Supporting Evidence
- Ten trials were included in the review, with varying outcomes reported.
- Between-group differences in total weekly alcohol consumption were approximately 1.5 U.K. units.
- Self-reported behavior may be influenced by the act of answering questions.
Takeaway
When people answer questions about their drinking, it might change how much they say they drink later. This could make it seem like drinking interventions are less effective than they really are.
Methodology
The study used random effects meta-analyses to evaluate between-group differences in total weekly alcohol consumption, quantity per drinking day, and AUDIT scores across ten trials.
Potential Biases
Potential biases include attrition differences and the influence of assessment on behavior.
Limitations
The methodological quality of included studies was not formally assessed, and biases in trials may produce biased pooled effect estimates.
Participant Demographics
Participants included a mix of university students and adults in clinical settings, with varying age and gender compositions.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.053
Confidence Interval
−0.17 to 27.6 grams of alcohol per week
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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