title: Effects of motivational interviewing intervention on blackouts among college freshmen.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Alcohol and illicit drug abuse is a serious public health issue facing college students. This study examined the impact of motivational interviewing (MI) as an intervention on the rate of blackouts among freshmen who engaged in high-risk drinking and illicit drug use.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 188 volunteer freshmen from a university were administered the Daily Drinking Questionnaire, the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index, and the Government Performance and Results Act at baseline and again at 6 months postintervention. MI was applied at baseline and then again at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Generalized estimated equations and logistic regression models were used to determine associations between the rate of blackouts and time, ethnicity, gender, illicit drug use, and alcohol consumption.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 6 months, the rate of blackouts decreased from 40% at baseline to 16% (p < .0001). The average number, time, and days of drinking and frequency of drug use also decreased significantly (p < .0001). An association between rate of blackouts and gender was observed, but not with ethnicity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MI had an impact on reducing alcohol consumption and the rate of blackouts among college freshmen who were engaging in high-risk drinking and illicit drug use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings support the importance of using MI with freshmen college students to decrease drinking and the associated negative consequences, including blackouts, which has particular relevance for advanced practice registered nurses, physicians, and community health nurses who conduct MI as an intervention with college students.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, College of Health and Human Services, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC.
authors.forename: Donna M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Kazemi
authors.forename: Maureen J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dmochowski
authors.forename: Mary A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Nies
authors.forename: Linman
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D062405:Motivational Interviewing; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014474:Unconsciousness / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs
keywords: Freshmen students; alcohol; blackouts; drug use; motivational interviewing