DRT Mobile Intervention to Increase Safe Drinking

University of Central Florida

Status: Invitation-only

Conditions: Alcohol; Use, Problem

Treatments: Behavioral: Deviance Regulation Theory (DRT); Behavioral: BASICS

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05098639

STUDY00001422

Details and patient eligibility

About

The current project uses a brief mobile intervention, grounded in Deviance Regulation Theory, to deliver in-the-moment messaging meant to increase responsible drinking among college students. Participants receive positive messages about individuals that use responsible drinking behaviors or negative messages about individuals that do not use responsible drinking behaviors. It is hypothesized that these messages delivered at appropriate times will differentially affect use of responsible drinking behaviors as a function of individual beliefs about the prevalence of responsible drinking among peers.

Full description

College student alcohol use remains a significant public health issue. College students consume alcohol at higher rates than their non-college peers. Though most college students "mature out" of heavy alcohol use by graduation, the consequences resulting from frequent acute intoxication during college can be devastating. Identifying cost effective ways to reduce problematic alcohol use, that can be widely disseminated, remains vitally important. A large body of literature has examined associations between social norms and drinking among college students. Several college drinking interventions have utilized social norms to reduce alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences. However, recent research suggests these interventions may not be as effective as once though. Despite the support for social norms as an etiological basis for heavy drinking, and its implementation in interventions, the operationalization has remained relatively narrow. Social norms interventions have generally not taken broader theoretical perspectives into account. Nor have they been applied much beyond the exclusive focus on quantity and frequency of consumption. The present study addresses these issues by examining the effects of an intervention grounded in Deviance Regulation Theory, meant to increase use of alcohol protective behavioral strategies when drinking. Deviance Regulation Theory posits that individuals will seek to engage in behaviors that allow them to standout in positive ways or avoid standing-out in negative ways. Both of these effects are based on the perception of the behavioral norm. Participants are randomly assigned to receive messages that presents individuals who DO use PBS in a positive light, information that presents individuals who DO NOT use PBS in a negative light, or an active control (BASICS). It is hypothesized that among individuals who believe PBS use is uncommon among their peers, positive messages about PBS users will result in increased PBS use, and subsequent decreases in alcohol use and problems. In contrast among individuals who believe PBS use is common among their peers, negative messages about PBS users will result in increased PBS use, and subsequent decreases in alcohol use and alcohol problems. If successful this trial will pave the way for a novel intervention for college students that can be tailored to individual beliefs about PBS use norms and that could be combined with existing interventions for college student drinking.

Enrollment: 300 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 26 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria

• Severe mental illness
• Under 18 years of age
• Over 26 years of age
• Unable to speak English fluently

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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300 participants in 3 patient groups

BASICS

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in the active control will receive a modified single session BASICS. BASICS is a well-documented and empirically supported prevention/intervention program for college student drinkers. BASICS targets heavy drinking students that have experienced or are at an increased risk for a variety of alcohol-related problems linked to college student life. The program is designed to help students make better alcohol-use decisions based on a broader understanding of the risks associated with problem drinking. It enhances motivation to change and promotes the development of skills to moderate drinking. The overall style of the program uses motivational interviewing and emphasizes empathy and non-judgmental interaction. The aims of BASICS are to (1) reduce alcohol consumption and consequences, (2) promote healthier and more responsible choices, and (3) provide information and coping skills.

Treatment:

Behavioral: BASICS

Deviance Regulation Theory

Experimental group

Description:

DRT participants receive an initial intervention session that is consistent with their current (pre-intervention) PBS frequency norm beliefs. For the initial intervention session, participants discuss their perception of the use of alcohol and use of protective behavioral strategies among campus peers. They are given feedback on the injunctive norms of alcohol use and PBS use by their peers which is tailored to each individuals normative perceptions. Following the initial intervention session, participants will carry a mobile device that allows for individuals to report current drinking environments. They then receive DRT consistent feedback based on the norms reported in their current drinking environment.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Deviance Regulation Theory (DRT)

Deviance Regulation Theory+BASICS

Experimental group

Description:

DRT participants receive an initial intervention session that is consistent with their current (pre-intervention) PBS frequency norm beliefs but also follows the framework of BASICS. For the initial intervention session, participants discuss their perception of the use of alcohol and use of protective behavioral strategies among campus peers. They are given feedback on both descriptive and injunctive norms of alcohol use and PBS use by their peers which is tailored to each individuals normative perceptions. Following the initial intervention session, participants will carry a mobile device that allows for individuals to report current drinking environments. They then receive DRT consistent feedback based on the norms reported in their current drinking environment.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Deviance Regulation Theory (DRT)

Behavioral: BASICS