A randomised control study of the impact of implementation intentions and mental contrasting on attendance at a substance misuse service

This study investigated the efficacy of 'implementation intentions' and 'mental contrasting' on increasing attendance at a Substance Misuse Service. Also aimed to test predictive utility oftheory ofplanned behaviour (TPB) in relation to intention to attend and actual attendance. Clients (n=251) referred were sent a questionnaire investigating views on attendance. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions; (condition 1 - TPB only) completed items ofTPB; (condition 2) completed TPB items, plus implementation intention task; (condition 3) cOl:npleted TPB items, plus mental contrasting task; and (condition 4) completed TPB items, plus implementation intention and mental contrasting task. Findings showed no differences in attendance across conditions; the interventions had no effect on rates ofattendance. It was found that no variables of the TPB predicted attendance, however one item of perceived behavioural control, subjective nonns and perceived benefits predicted intention to attend. The results showed that overall attendance for this study (75.4%) was significantly higher than the attendance for the six months prior (60.3%) to this study. This study contributes to the literature on effectiveness of TPB, implementation intention and mental contrasting in increasing attendance. The findings provide some support for mere measurement efftct, which suggests asking participants about intentions causes subsequent changes in attendance behaviour.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo