Objective Although energy drinks are marketed as enhancers of cognitive and physical performance, excess consumption has been linked to adverse health outcomes. This study examined the mediating role of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) constructs in the relationships between health literacy, sensation seeking, age, and gender and energy drink consumption.Methods A sample of 225 undergraduate students was recruited (M age = 19.03, SD age = 1.84; 74 male, 148 female, 3 non-binary) for a two-wave prospective design with a two-week time lag.Results Multi-group PLS-SEM stratified by perceived economic status (PES) revealed energy drink consumption was associated with intention, which in turn was explained by affective attitude, instrumental attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control (PBC), and PBC moderated the relationship between intention and behaviour. The effects of health literacy and sensation seeking on consumption were fully mediated through TPB constructs. Among higher PES participants, health literacy exhibited stronger associations with attitudinal constructs, whereas gendered effects on subjective norms were evident only in the average-or-lower PES subgroup.Conclusions Findings suggest the correlates of energy drink consumption differ from those typically associated with sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and may vary across demographic subgroups, although the generally high PES of the sample should be considered.
Objectives Logic model refinement is an underreported stage of complex intervention development. SPACES (Storytelling Promoting Alcohol Choice, Empowerment and Sharing) combines narratives with Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs) to support alcohol reduction among mid-life women. This study aimed to refine the logic model.Methods Eight online focus groups were conducted with 20 mid-life women and 12 other stakeholders. Theory-informed reflexive thematic analysis used the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) framework to examine drinking influences and inequalities. A public advisory group informed study materials and interpretation of findings.Results Five themes described inequality-related influences on drinking and engagement with support: (1) structural inequalities shaped physical opportunity; (2) gendered norms shaped social opportunity; (3) emotional load shaped automatic motivation; (4) cognitive bandwidth shaped psychological capability; and (5) identity and stigma shaped reflective motivation. Environmental restructuring, emotional/social support and alcohol-free activities were supported. Information, alcohol-free and low-alcohol product substitution and goal-setting were acceptable for some but required adaptation to avoid exacerbating inequalities. Findings informed refinements to COM-B determinants, BCTs, delivery through stories and toolkits, and hypothesised mechanisms of action.Conclusion This study provides a worked example of inequality-sensitive logic model refinement and a strong foundation for SPACES prototyping and feasibility testing.
