We propose to test the malleability of a promising, cognitive factor that predicts alcohol misuse—drinking identity (a facet of the self-concept linked to alcohol and drinking)—and its subsequent effect on drinking during key transitions that occur during emerging adulthood (the developmental period from 18-25). This period is associated with changes in risk for alcohol misuse (e.g., heavy alcohol consumption and experiencing negative alcohol-related consequences), which has substantial individual and public health costs. Changes in risk for alcohol misuse coincide with two major life transitions experienced by a substantial proportion of the population: graduating high school and graduating college. On average, the risk for alcohol misuse increases after high school and decreases after college, though there is considerable heterogeneity in these trends. When considering novel cognitive targets for intervention efforts, emerging adulthood is also a time of self- exploration and self-concept and identity changes, suggesting that identity-based factors may be particularly relevant. Our labs have been at the forefront of research evaluating identity and drinking. We have demonstrated that drinking identity is a unique cognitive predictor of alcohol misuse and that changes in drinking identity are associated with changes in drinking in the early college years and during the transition out of college. Key next steps involve the validation of strategies for shifting drinking identity to prevent the typical escalation of alcohol misuse associated with the transition out of high school and expedite reductions in alcohol misuse associated with the transition out of college. An extensive psychology literature on the self- concept, identity motivation, possible selves, and self-regulation provides a strong theoretical foundation for adapting a future possible selves task to shift drinking identity and, in turn, reduce alcohol misuse. Our overarching aims are to evaluate changes in drinking identity in response to the future possible selves task, to demonstrate that those changes are, in turn, followed by changes in alcohol misuse and key risk factors, and to establish boundary conditions for these changes—e.g., their durability, the most effective task version, and the need for multiple (vs. single) task doses. We propose to conduct two experimental studies (Study 1: high school transition; Study 2: college transition) that will be implemented at two demographically diverse sites (N = 528 per study; n = 264 per study site). We will use a 2 (imagine and write about a future possible desired self vs. not) x 2 (imagine and write about a future possible feared self vs. not) x 2 (1 vs. 3 writing session[s]) design. The effects of the future possible selves task on drinking identity, risk factors, and alcohol misuse will be evaluated out to 12 months. Our approach provides a robust test of the task’s efficacy as an alcohol misuse prevention [Study 1] and interven...