Norms Re-education to Promote Engagement in Parent-based Interventions

Loyola Marymount University

Status: Begins enrollment in 11 months

Conditions: Underage Drinking

Treatments: Behavioral: PNF+ PBI; Behavioral: PH+ PBI; Behavioral: SNMC+ PBI

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06871982

1R01AA030904-01 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted to evaluate both the short-term and long-term efficacy of innovative, incentive-free parent-based interventions (PBIs) designed to reduce underage drinking on college campuses. Although the current NIAAA-recommended Parent Handbook has shown modest effects, our preliminary work suggests that combining personalized normative feedback (PNF) delivered through a social media-inspired app with psychoeducational content can effectively decrease alcohol-related risk. In this large, multi-site trial with 2,040 first-year students, we will examine the short- and long-term effects of the experimental app-based PNF program (PNF+ PBI) compared to an email-based social norms marketing campaign (SNMC+ PBI), the Parent Handbook (PH+ PBI), and an assessment-only control on alcohol use and consequences (primary outcomes). Parent alcohol approval and communication will also be assessed as potential mediators of intervention effects (secondary outcomes). The researchers hypothesize that students whose parents receive PNF+ and SNMC+ PBIs will report lower levels of alcohol use and fewer alcohol-related consequences compared to those whose parents receive PH+ PBI or no intervention. It is also expected that parental approval will be lower and alcohol-related communication will be higher in these two experimental conditions, relative to PH+ PBI and no intervention.

Full description

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of innovative, incentive-free parent-based interventions (PBIs) designed to reduce underage drinking on college campuses. Incoming first-year students will be invited to complete an online baseline survey during the summer prior to matriculation to assess alcohol use and related behaviors. An automated randomizer embedded in the survey will assign students (and thus their parents) to one of four conditions: an experimental app-based personalized normative feedback program (PNF+ PBI), an email-based social norms marketing campaign (SNMC+ PBI), the NIAAA-recommended Parent Handbook (PH+ PBI), or an assessment-only control group. Parents in the PBI conditions will receive access to their assigned program in July or August (immediately following their students completion of the baseline survey). Students will complete a total of four surveys: the baseline assessment and three follow-up surveys at one month, six months, and twelve months post-matriculation. The researchers hypothesize that students whose parents are assigned to the experimental app-based PNF and email-based SNMC conditions will report lower alcohol use and fewer alcohol-related consequences compared to those whose parents receive the Parent Handbook or no intervention. In addition, it is expected that these experimental conditions will yield lower parental alcohol approval and higher levels of alcohol-related communication, which will serve as potential mediators of the intervention effects.

Enrollment: 2,040 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 17 to 20 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• LMU/Lehigh incoming first-year college student who is17-20 years of age
• Parent/legal guardian with an email address on file with the university
• A United States resident
• Provide informed consent/assent

Exclusion criteria

• Younger than 17 or older than 20 years of age
• Not an incoming first-year college students at LMU/Lehigh
• Parent or legal guardian does not have an email address on file with the university
• Not residents of the United States
• Did not provide informed consent/assent

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

2,040 participants in 4 patient groups

PNF+ PBI

Experimental group

Description:

This intervention involves an interactive app that delivers six personalized normative feedback quizzes. Based on quiz responses, the app provides tailored videos and readings that address parents' misperceptions about student drinking and offer strategies to reduce alcohol-related risks. The app also includes a resource library and generates customized reading lists through the quizzes.

Treatment:

Behavioral: PNF+ PBI

SNMC+ PBI

Experimental group

Description:

This intervention consists of a series of six structured communications that present risk-reducing normative facts about alcohol use. Each communication includes a specific tip designed to guide parents in effectively discussing alcohol-related risks and establishing constructive conversations with their student.

Treatment:

Behavioral: SNMC+ PBI

PH+ PBI

Active Comparator group

Description:

This intervention provides a digital version of the Parent Handbook, which contains comprehensive psychoeducational content on alcohol-related risks, effective communication strategies, and practical guidelines for reducing underage drinking. The Handbook is designed to be reviewed at the parent's own pace, offering a thorough resource for managing alcohol-related issues.

Treatment:

Behavioral: PH+ PBI

No Intervention

No Intervention group

Description:

In the control condition, no parent-based intervention content is provided.