Norms Re-education to Promote Engagement in Parent-based Interventions

Summary

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted to evaluate both the short-term and long-term efficacy of innovative, incentive-free parent-based interventions (PBIs) designed to reduce underage drinking on college campuses. Although the current NIAAA-recommended Parent Handbook has shown modest effects, our preliminary work suggests that combining personalized normative feedback (PNF) delivered through a social media-inspired app with psychoeducational content can effectively decrease alcohol-related risk. In this large, multi-site trial with 2,040 first-year students, we will examine the short- and long-term effects of the experimental app-based PNF program (PNF+ PBI) compared to an email-based social norms marketing campaign (SNMC+ PBI), the Parent Handbook (PH+ PBI), and an assessment-only control on alcohol use and consequences (primary outcomes). Parent alcohol approval and communication will also be assessed as potential mediators of intervention effects (secondary outcomes). The researchers hypothesize that students whose parents receive PNF+ and SNMC+ PBIs will report lower levels of alcohol use and fewer alcohol-related consequences compared to those whose parents receive PH+ PBI or no intervention. It is also expected that parental approval will be lower and alcohol-related communication will be higher in these two experimental conditions, relative to PH+ PBI and no intervention.

Conditions

• Underage Drinking

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

PNF+ PBI

Parents of participating students assigned to the PNF+ PBI condition will receive an email invitation to sign up for a Parent-Based Intervention app. This app features six personalized normative feedback (PNF) quizzes and provides tailored videos and readings based on responses to these quizzes. Parents will create an account and complete the first PNF quiz, after which they will immediately receive their initial set of tailored content. They can then explore additional app content at their convenience, including access to five more quizzes that will yield further customized reading lists and access to a general resource library. For approximately six weeks, parents will receive weekly app notifications and email reminders alerting them to additional unengaged content (e.g., PNF quizzes, readings). Parents in this condition will maintain access to the app throughout their student's first year of college.

BEHAVIORAL

SNMC+ PBI

Parents of participating students randomized to this condition will receive a series of 6 emails (delivered weekly) in August and September. Each email will include risk-reducing normative facts and a relevant tip for communicating with students about alcohol-related risks.

BEHAVIORAL

PH+ PBI

Parents of participating students randomized to this condition will receive an email introducing the PBI including a link to access the Handbook online. Parents can explore the Handbook at their own pace.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lehigh University

  collaborator OTHER

• Loyola Marymount University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

17 Years

Max Age

20 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-07-31

Primary Completion

2028-09-30

Completion

2028-10-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations