# Evaluating Future Thinking Priming Effects on Delay Discounting Among Young Adult Drinkers

## TL;DR

This study examined if a technique called Future Thinking Priming could reduce impulsive decision-making in young adult drinkers, but found no significant effect.

## Contribution

The study evaluates Future Thinking Priming's impact on delay discounting in binge and low-risk drinkers, a novel focus in this population.

## Key findings

- Future Thinking Priming did not significantly reduce delay discounting in the sample.
- Pretest and posttest discounting measures were strongly correlated, suggesting delay discounting is a stable trait.
- The null effect may indicate the need for larger samples or consideration of moderating factors like self-efficacy.

## Abstract

The extent to which an individual prefers smaller immediate rewards over larger delayed rewards is referred to as delay discounting. Higher discounting is associated with addictive behaviors and reducing it may aid in their prevention or treatment. Consequently, interventions that decrease discounting-such as Future Thinking Priming (FTP)-have attracted research interest; however, the literature on young adults with binge drinking remains scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Future Thinking Priming (FTP) on delay discounting among individuals who engage in binge and low-risk drinking. We assessed delay discounting in 86 participants divided into two groups (future-oriented priming or control), using a pretest-posttest design. The results did not provide evidence that FTP reduces delay discounting in this sample. This null effect may reflect the fact that successful priming interventions are typically detected with large sample sizes, underscoring the need to examine potential moderators such as self-effcacy and affective valence. Finally, we found a strong correlation between pretest and posttest discounting measures, consistent with studies characterizing delay discounting as a trait variable.