title: Brief motivational interventions for heavy college drinkers: A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: In this randomized controlled trial, the authors evaluated brief motivational interventions (BMIs) for at-risk college drinkers. Heavy drinking students (N = 509; 65% women, 35% men) were randomized into 1 of 6 intervention conditions formed by crossing the baseline Timeline Followback (TLFB) interview (present versus absent) and intervention type (basic BMI, BMI enhanced with a decisional balance module, or none). Assessments completed at baseline, 1, 6, and 12 months measured typical and risky drinking as well as drinking-related problems. Relative to controls, the TLFB interview reduced consumption but not problems at 1 month. The basic BMI improved all drinking outcomes beyond the effects of the TLFB interview at 1 month, whereas the enhanced BMI did not. Risk reduction achieved by brief interventions maintained throughout the follow-up year.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health and Behavior, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244-2340, USA. kbcarey@syr.edu
authors.forename: Kate B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Maisto
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Henson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires