Utilizing the theory of planned behaviour to predict binge drinking behaviour among University students of Malta

Abstract

The present study is a replication of French & Cooke’s (2011) study. The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) is used to predict binge drinking intentions and behaviours among University students in Malta during parties organised by student bodies of different faculties. An online survey was divided into two separate questionnaires, the first, was administered sometime before the parties which assessed the main TPB constructs, that include attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control (PBC). The first questionnaires were administered to 110 participants. 100 of these participants opted to fill in the second questionnaire, which recorded the number of alcoholic drinks they had consumed during the party. 62% reported to have binged drink in the previous week, and 45% reported to typically consume more than 7/10.5 units of alcohol in a week. In the present study, both attitude towards binge drinking and subjective norm were able to predict intentions to binge drink, which resulted in actual drinking behaviour. No significant relationship was found between PBC and either intention and drinking behaviour. The individually salient beliefs targeted in this study, should be targeted by interventions to be able to reduce binge drinking behaviours.