Which heavy drinking college students benefit from a brief motivational intervention?
Heavy drinking among college students is common and is often harmful. A previously reported randomized trial revealed that a brief motivational intervention (BMI) reduced the alcohol consumption of heavy drinking college students (K. B. Carey, M. P. Carey, S. A. Maisto, & J. M. Henson, 2006). For this study, the researchers conducted supplemental analyses of hypothesized predictors of change using the same sample (N = 495). Greater readiness to change, higher levels of self-regulation, and less engagement in social comparison all independently predicted reductions in drinking outcomes. Furthermore, self-regulation, social comparison, and future time perspective interacted with BMI and predicted drinks per week. As expected, greater self-regulation skills enhanced response to the BMI; the remaining interaction effects were unexpected. Overall, these findings suggest that BMIs produce relatively robust effects.
Center for Health and Behavior, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244-2340, USA. kbcarey@syr.edu
Kate B
KB
Carey
James M
JM
Henson
Michael P
MP
Carey
Stephen A
SA
Maisto
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012927:Social Control, Informal; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014495:Universities