Binge drinking : investigating the role of past behaviour in the theory of planned behaviour

Abstract

The present study is a replication of Norman and Conner's (2006) study. The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) is used to predict binge drinking intentions and behaviours among Maltese University students over a one-week period. The roles of self-efficacy and past behaviour are also investigated. A first questionnaire assessing the main TPB constructs and past binge drinking behaviours was administered to 166 undergraduate students. Of these, 142 completed a second questionnaire after a one-week period. Findings showed that approximately 15% of the participants binge drink on a regular basis. Regression analyses evidenced that attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control (PBC), and self-efficacy were all predictive of binge drinking intentions, and were able to explain 66.2% of the variance. Intentions were then the sole predictor of binge drinking behaviours after a one-week period and were able to explain 51% of the variance. Self-efficacy was found to be the strongest predictor of intentions but was unable to predict binge drinking behaviours after one week. Past binge drinking behaviour also emerged as a significant predictor of binge drinking behaviours. These findings suggest that binge drinking intervention strategies for young people need to particularly focus on the social and cultural contexts.