A Comparison of Three Alcohol Instruction Programs on the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Drinking Behaviors of College Students

Abstract

In this study, the effects of three educational methodologies (implicit instruction, explicit instruction, and values clarification instruction) were investigated. Each treatment was administered over four 50-minute class sessions to students attending general college-level health classes. Pretest, posttest, and followup data were collected via a self-reported questionnaire designed to assess the subjects' knowledge levels regarding beverage alcohol, attitudes toward alcohol, drinking behaviors, and intended drinking behaviors. Analysis of the data revealed that all treatment groups reported significantly higher knowledge scores than did the control group, but only the explicit instruction treatment was able to produce any changes in attitudes or behavior. The only significant change reported for drinking intentions was a deterioration in reported intentions within the control group.