THE EFFECTS OF COLLEGE-STUDENTS ALCOHOL RESISTANCE STRATEGIES

This study investigated which of four resistance strategies (direct re fusal, alternative, excuse, and explanation), varied by presence or ab sence of face support, were effective in achieving instrumental, relat ional, and identity goals of the resister. Participants were 132 first - and second-year college students. Trained confederates resisted part icipants' persuasive attempts within a simulated small-party interacti on. Postinteraction questionnaires measured attraction to the confeder ate and relational satisfaction. Number of persuasive attempts during the interaction defined the dependent variable for the instrumental go al of resistance. Those persuaders who received resistance strategies with face support were more attracted to their partners and more satis fied with the relationship than were those who received resistance str ategies with no face support. Female participants were more attracted to their partners and more satisfied with the relationship than were m ale participants. No refusal strategy resulted in significantly fewer persuasive attempts. Implications and recommendations for future resea rch are discussed.