A randomized clinical trial evaluating a combined alcohol intervention for high-risk college students.
OBJECTIVE
The current study is a multisite randomized alcohol prevention trial to evaluate the efficacy of both a parenting handbook intervention and the Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) intervention, alone and in combination, in reducing alcohol use and consequences among a high-risk population of matriculating college students (i.e., former high school athletes).


METHODS
Students (n = 1,275) completed a series of Web-administered measures at baseline (in the summer before starting college) and follow-up (after 10 months). Students were randomized to one of four conditions: parent intervention only, BASICS only, combined (parent and BASICS), and assessment-only control. Intervention efficacy was tested on a number of outcome measures, including peak blood alcohol concentration, weekly and weekend drinking, and negative consequences. Hypothesized mediators and moderators of intervention effect were tested.


RESULTS
The overall results revealed that the combined-intervention group had significantly lower alcohol consumption, high-risk drinking, and consequences at 10-month follow-up, compared with the control group, with changes in descriptive and injunctive peer norms mediating intervention effects.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of the present study suggest that the parent intervention delivered to students before they begin college serves to enhance the efficacy of the BASICS intervention, potentially priming students to respond to the subsequent BASICS session.
Turrisi
Rob
R
Biobehavioral Health and Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, 109 Henderson South Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA. rturrisi@psu.edu
Larimer
Mary E
ME
Mallett
Kimberly A
KA
Kilmer
Jason R
JR
Ray
Anne E
AE
Mastroleo
Nadine R
NR
Geisner
Irene Markman
IM
Grossbard
Joel
J
Tollison
Sean
S
Lostutter
Ty W
TW
Montoya
Heidi
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education*; D010379:Peer Group; D013334:Students