Internet-Based Personalized Feedback to Reduce 21st-Birthday Drinking: A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Event-Specific Prevention Intervention

Clayton Neighbors, Christine M. Lee, Melissa A. Lewis, Nicole Fossos, Theresa Walter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

137 Scopus citations

Abstract

This article presents an initial randomized controlled trial of an event-specific prevention intervention. Participants included 295 college students (41.69% male, 58.31% female) who intended to consume 2 or more drinks on their 21st birthday. Participants completed a screening/baseline assessment approximately 1 week before they turned 21 and were randomly assigned to receive Web-based personalized feedback or assessment only. Feedback included normative information, protective behaviors, and personalized blood alcohol concentration information. A follow-up assessment was completed approximately 1 week after a student's birthday. Results indicated a significant intervention effect in reducing estimated blood alcohol concentration (d = 0.33). The intervention effect was moderated by 21st-birthday drinking intentions, and the intervention was primarily effective among those who intended to reach higher levels of intoxication. Results provide some support for normative information as a mediator of intervention efficacy. Overall results provide support for Web-based personalized feedback as an intervention approach for specific events associated with extreme drinking.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)51-63
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
Volume77
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2009

Keywords

  • Web
  • alcohol
  • celebration
  • social norms

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