A test of the efficacy of a brief, web-based personalized feedback intervention to reduce drinking among 9th grade students

Abstract

Alcohol use increases substantially during the transition from middle school to high school. This study tested a brief, web-based personalized feedback program aimed at reducing risk factors for drinking, alcohol use, and alcohol-related consequences among 9 th grade students. At a 3-month follow-up, students in the intervention group showed positive results relative to those in the control group on variables associated with reduced risk, including positive alcohol expectancies and positive beliefs about alcohol. Students in the intervention group also reported a reduction in drinking frequency and alcohol-related consequences relative to those in the control group. There were, however, no differences in normative beliefs regarding peer drinking or quantity of weekly drinking between the two groups. Results indicate a brief, web-based personalized normative feedback program delivered in the school setting is a promising approach to reducing alcohol use and the associated consequences among 9 th grade students.

Reducing alcohol use among 9th grade students: 6 month outcomes of a brief, Web-based intervention

“…Results of this indicated no differences between the intervention group and control group for either frequency of drinking or alcohol-related consequences at the 6-month follow-up assessment. Thus, the reductions in drinking variables found at 3-months (Doumas et al, 2014) were not sustained through the academic year.…”

“…In particular, we were interested in whether or not reductions in frequency of drinking and alcohol-related consequences found at the 3-month follow-up (Doumas et al, 2014) would be sustained across the academic year. Results of this indicated no differences between the intervention group and control group for either frequency of drinking or alcohol-related consequences at the 6-month follow-up assessment.…”

“…At the 3-month follow-up, students in the intervention group reported a reduction in drinking frequency and alcohol-related consequences relative to those in the control group (Doumas et al 2014). Analyses presented here examine differences between the two groups at the 6-month follow-up.…”

“…These results provide evidence for brief, web-based personalized feedback as a promising approach to reduce underage drinking and the associated consequences for this age group. The purpose of this study is to extend the literature by examining whether or not the reductions in alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences found at 3-months (Doumas et al, 2014) would be sustained across the academic year.…”

“…More recently, Doumas, Esp, Turrisi, Hausheer, & Cuffee (2014) tested the efficacy of a brief, web-based intervention program, the eCHECKUP TO GO, in reducing alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences among 9 th grade students. Results indicated a reduction in frequency of alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences in the intervention group relative to the control group at a 3-month follow up.…”