A text message program as a booster to in-person brief interventions for mandated college students to prevent weekend binge drinking. Issue 6 (17th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Suffoletto, Brian; Merrill, Jennifer E.; Chung, Tammy; Kristan, Jeffrey; Vanek, Marian; Clark, Duncan B.
• Is Part Of: Journal of American college health. Volume 64:Issue 6(2016)
• Page Start: 481
• Page End: 489
• Publication Date: 2016-08-17
• Subjects: Alcohol -- college student -- mandated -- text message; College students -- Health and hygiene -- United States -- Periodicals; College students -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; College students -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Universities and colleges -- Health promotion services -- Periodicals; 362.10883781980973
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2016.1185107
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0744-8481

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective : To evaluate a text message (SMS) program as a booster to an in-person alcohol intervention with mandated college students.Participants : Undergraduates ( N = 224; 46% female) who violated an on-campus alcohol policy over a 2-semester period in 2014.Methods : The SMS program sent drinking-related queries each Thursday and Sunday and provided tailored feedback for 6 weeks. Response rates to SMS drinking-related queries and the associations between weekend drinking plans, drinking-limit goal commitment, and alcohol consumption were examined. Gender differences were explored.Results : Ninety percent of SMS queries were completed. Weekend binge drinking decreased over 6 weeks, and drinking-limit goal commitment was associated with less alcohol consumption. Compared with women, men had greater reductions in alcohol consumption when they committed to a drinking-limit goal.Conclusions : Preliminary evidence suggests that an SMS program could be useful as a booster for helping mandated students reduce weekend binge drinking.