Descriptive Norms but not Harm Reduction Strategies as a Mediator of Personalized Boosters After a Computerized College Drinking Intervention. (11th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Braitman, Abby L.; Lau‐Barraco, Cathy
• Is Part Of: Alcoholism. Volume 44:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 284
• Page End: 296
• Publication Date: 2019-12-11
• Subjects: Brief Alcohol Intervention -- Boosters -- College Drinking -- Perceived Descriptive Norms -- Protective Behavioral Strategies; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Alcoolisme; Electronic journals; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.861005
• DOI: 10.1111/acer.14248
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-6008

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Computer‐delivered programs to reduce college drinking have strong appeal but are sometimes less efficacious than their in‐person counterparts. Boosters may be an ideal way to strengthen and extend the effects of computerized interventions while maintaining low cost and easy dissemination. However, little is known about how they work. Consequently, the current study aimed to explore descriptive perceived drinking norms and use of protective behavioral strategies (PBS) as potential mediators of booster effects. We also examined norms and PBS as mediators of the main intervention. The present study was a follow‐up analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial (Alcohol Clin Exp Res 42, 2018, 1735) testing the efficacy of emailed boosters containing personalized feedback after a computerized alcohol intervention. Methods: Participants were 537 (67.4% women) emerging adult college drinkers ( M age = 19.65, SD = 1.67). They were randomly assigned to one of 3 conditions: general health education, alcohol intervention only, or alcohol intervention plus booster email. Participants completed assessments at baseline and follow‐ups through 9 months. Results: Descriptive norms were a mediator of booster efficacy where receiving the booster yielded stronger reductions in alcohol use through reduced concurrent norms; however, fully longitudinal models did not reach significance. There was also an indirect effect for the intervention where those who received the intervention experienced an increase in drinking through increased concurrent norms. However, a stronger direct effect was found where those who received the intervention experienced a stronger decrease in drinking after controlling for norms. There was no support for PBS as a mediator of booster or intervention efficacy. Conclusions: The present study was the first, to our knowledge, to demonstrate a potential mechanism of change in booster interventions. A simple, succinct reminder via email led to reductions in perceptions of how much peers drink, and this led to reductions in alcohol consumption. Our findings support the promise of utilizing brief and easily implemented targeted messaging to enhance the potency of computerized interventions for college drinkers. Abstract : Modeled trajectories over time of descriptive normative perceptions for college drinkers by condition. Conditions include: general health intervention only (Control), alcohol intervention only (Intervention‐Only), and alcohol intervention plus personalized feedback booster email (Intervention + Booster). Both intervention conditions show norms decreasing post‐intervention, with a subsequent stronger decrease for the Intervention + Booster condition, then relatively stable differences by condition longer‐term. A succinct email reminder lead to reductions in student perceptions of how much peers drink which led to reductions in alcohol consumption.