Alcohol Consumption
Conditions
Keywords
Alcohol, Drinking, College, Motivational, Feedback, Assessment
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to look at the effects of assessment, feedback and motivational interviewing on alcohol consumption among college drinkers.
Detailed description
Excessive alcohol consumption has been a growing problem at many US colleges. In response, colleges and universities have instituted a range of alcohol intervention and prevention programs for students. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is one brief intervention that has been shown to reduce heavy drinking among college students. To date, all college studies of MI have used a format that includes an assessment and feedback delivered in an MI style. Although this format has considerable empirical support, it remains unclear which of the components is necessary to produce behavior change. This study will evaluate the separate and collective effects of MI and feedback among binge drinking college students. Additionally, this study will evaluate the effects of the initial drinking assessment, through including a delayed-assessment control group. After an initial screen, 350 students at Southern Methodist University who report at least one heavy (i.e., binge) episode during the previous two weeks will be randomized to: (1) MI with feedback, (2) MI without feedback, (3) Mailed feedback only, (4) Assessment only, or (5) Delayed assessment only. MI sessions will be delivered by trained and supervised counselors. Participants will be assessed via a secure Internet site at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months (12 months only for the Delayed-assessment group), with primary outcome measures including self-reported quantity and frequency of drinking, and drinking-related problems. Since college drinking is associated with substantial negative effects for drinkers, as well as for others, the findings of this study may have significant public health implications in terms of reducing costs, and improving services for students who choose to drink.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALFeedback
Online personal feedback report
BEHAVIORALMotivational Interview with Feedback
In-person Motivational Interview with personal feedback report
BEHAVIORALMotivational Interview
In-person Motivational Interview only (without a personal feedback report)
Sponsors
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Participants must be enrolled in Southern Methodist University. * Participants must report one binge episode (4 or more drinks in one setting for women, 5 or more drinks in one setting for men) in the past two weeks. * Participants must be at least 18 years old.
Exclusion criteria
* Participants will be excluded if they are not enrolled at Southern Methodist University. * Participants will be excluded if they do not report at least one binge episode in the past two weeks. * Participants will be excluded if they are less than 18 years old.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Drinks per week | one year |
| Peak BAC | one year |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Alcohol Related Consequences (RAPI) | one year |
| Interpersonal Violence (CADRI) | one year |
| Readiness to Change (RTCQ) | one year |
| Protective Behaviors (PBQ) | one year |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed