Improving Brief Alcohol Interventions With a Behavioral Economic Supplement

Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a Substance-Free Activity Session (SFAS) as a supplement to a brief motivation intervention (BMI) in reducing alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences in college students.

Conditions

• Alcohol Abuse

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Brief Motivational Intervention (BMI)

This session includes a discussion related to harm reduction and the student's autonomy to make decisions about the information provided in the session; an alcohol use decisional balance exercise; personalized alcohol-related feedback, and goal-setting. Elements included in the feedback are: (a) comparison of the student's perception of how much college students drink and actual student norms, (b) a comparison of the student's alcohol consumption vs. norms, (c) an estimate of the student's peak blood alcohol content in the past month, (d) alcohol-related problems experienced, (e) money spent on alcohol, and (f) calories consumed from alcohol. Participants discuss the personalized feedback with the clinician and review protective behavioral strategies if he or she indicates interest.

BEHAVIORAL

Substance-Free Activity Session (SFAS)

The clinician initiates a discussion of the student's college and career goals. Students discuss the values that motivate them as well as how alcohol use may interfere with their ability to accomplish these goals. Students then receive information on graduation rates and income benefits for those who attend and excel in college. They receive personalized feedback on (a) the requirements for their major and intended career, (b) a list of extracurricular activities tailored to their goals, (c) a graph showing time they allocate to their activities, (d) information on stress and depressive symptoms (if applicable) and possible adaptive coping responses and (e) a list of substance-free recreational activities in which they would like to start or continuing engaging.

BEHAVIORAL

Relaxation Session

The session includes a clinician-led diaphragmatic breathing exercise, followed by a progressive muscle relaxation protocol (\~30 minutes). At the end of the session, participants will be asked about their reaction to the relaxation techniques and provided with relaxation training handouts.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Memphis

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• James G Murphy, Ph.D. · University of Memphis

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

27 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2012-07-31

Primary Completion

2017-08-31

Completion

2017-08-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations