Effect of pretest measurements of alcohol craving: Lessons from a replication study

BACKGROUND
In a previous study during lockdown, we investigated whether a pre-test measurement of alcohol craving could alter its posttest assessment and tested its relationship with social desirability (SD) and demand effects (the consequences of participants trying to uncover the aim of a study). Results suggested that the first craving measurement increased its post-experimental levels in heavy drinkers. No evidence was found for a relationship with SD or demand effects. Exploratory analyses suggested an association between engagement toward the alcohol-video and craving. The present study aimed to test whether these findings are replicable three years later outside the lockdown context.

METHODS
Hundred and thirty-six psychology students were randomly allocated to either a “pre-post” or a “post-only” craving assessment group. They watched an alcohol-related video. SD, demand effects, engagement toward the video, and alcohol consumption levels were also assessed.

RESULTS
The interaction between the presence of the first craving measurement and alcohol consumption was not replicated. However, the present sample being composed of 90% females, the statistical analyses of the previous study were re-run with gender stratification. The results confirm that the effect was significant only in men, explaining the discrepancies between studies. The association between video engagement and craving was shown in both studies. Interestingly, in this sample, sensitivity to demand characteristics positively correlated with craving in the “pre-post” group.

CONCLUSIONS
In addition to the unsuspected gender effect, this study confirmed the role of video-engagement in craving and suggested that a pretest measurement of craving impacts the participant willingness to discover the aim of the study.