The impact of an educational program based on self-regulation theory on reducing alcohol consumption among adolescents: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol abuse leads to numerous physical and mental health issues, as well as an increased risk of infectious and chronic diseases. Additionally, it contributes significantly to mortality and disability rates within the population. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention based on self-regulation theory (SRT) in reducing alcohol consumption among Iranian adolescents. METHODS: This analysis was conducted as a before-and-after experimental study involving 430 high school students in the southern Kerman province from 2023 to 2024. The study employed a cluster sampling approach, encompassing 14 educational classes, with seven classes randomly assigned to the intervention group and seven classes to the control group. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire based on SRT, and its validity (with a CVR and CVI above 90%) and reliability (with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of more than 0.9 for the entire questionnaire) were rigorously assessed and confirmed. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 21, applying independent t-tests, paired t-tests, and chi-square tests. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean age of the adolescents was 15.32 ± 0.8 years. In intervention group, the mean score of the behavioral inhibition and working memory increased from 34.43 ± 7.83 and 31.59 ± 5.20 before the intervention to 37.33 ± 7.69 and 32.67 ± 5.83 after the intervention. Also, the mean score of internalization of speech, motivational evaluation system and behavioral reconstitution increased respectively from 30.37 ± 6.27, 24.88 ± 4.80 and 45.29 ± 6.30 before the intervention to 32.42 ± 6.14, 26.74 ± 4.70 and after the intervention. Following the educational intervention, the average scores for the constructs of behavioral inhibition (p = 0.03), working memory (p = 0.001), internalization of speech (p = 0.02), motivational evaluation system (p = 0.04), and behavioral reconstitution (p = 0.001) demonstrated a significant increase in the intervention group compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions based on SRT can significantly decrease the likelihood of alcohol use among adolescents. Continuous training rooted in this theory within school settings is beneficial for preventing risky behaviors in adolescents.