Efficacy and Mechanisms of Technology-based Behavioral Interventions

Summary

Large scale surveys indicate that approximately 68% of college students drink alcohol every month and 40% of college students engage in heavy episodic drinking. Despite prevention/intervention efforts, problematic alcohol consumption among college students continues to result in an estimated 1,800 deaths and 600,000 injuries annually, and epidemiological studies demonstrate no appreciable decrease in risk among college students. The purpose of the proposed research is to improve extant college-drinking interventions by advancing the dissemination methodology and the intervention content (Specific Aim 1). As a methodological improvement, rapid advances in mobile computing makes ecological momentary interventions (EMIs) increasingly feasible. EMIs refer to interventions that can be delivered multiple times and "in the moment". EMIs can optimize the timing and location of the intervention while also increasing the dose of the intervention. To improve the intervention content, the researchers will examine protective behavioral strategies (PBS) to reduce alcohol problems, not just alcohol use. PBS are behaviors that one can engage in immediately prior to, during, and immediately following alcohol use that limit alcohol use and/or alcohol-related harm. Research suggests that PBS use can protect individuals from alcohol problems above and beyond its effect on reducing alcohol use. The primary purpose of this research is to provide a more powerful test of a PBS intervention's effects on alcohol-related consequences by using a technology-based intervention methodology (i.e., EMI). Participants will be randomized into to a fully crossed, 3 (Standard BMI, BMI with a PBS component, control) X 2 (PBS-based EMI, Ecological Assessment Only) design. These 6 conditions will answer several critically important research questions (Specific Aim 2): a) does the addition of a PBS component improve the efficacy of a standard BMI, b) does a PBS-based EMI improve efficacy over the standard, single session BMI, c) does the combination of motivation-based intervention (BMI) with a skills-based intervention (EMI) yield even greater decreases in consequences (i.e., moderation). A final purpose of this research is to examine PBS norms, PBS perceived effectiveness, and motivation to change PBS use as novel mediators of the improved interventions. Results can be used to disseminate more effective college drinking interventions that are cheaper and more efficacious.

Conditions

• College Student Drinking

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

college drinker's check up

The College Drinker's Check-up (CDCU) is a single session, computer-based brief motivational intervention for heavy drinking college students. It takes a student about 45 minutes to go through it.

BEHAVIORAL

Protective Behavioral Strategies Intervention

This intervention component focuses on educating and promoting PBS activities in future college drinking situations

BEHAVIORAL

Ecological Momentary Intervention

This EMI is delivered during drinking situations and focuses on promoting PBS use during that particular drinking situation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

  collaborator NIH

• James M. Henson

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• James M Henson, Ph.D. · Old Dominion University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

25 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2017-11-15

Primary Completion

2022-05-31

Completion

2022-05-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations