Efficacy of alcohol interventions for first-year college students: a meta-analytic review of randomized controlled trials.
OBJECTIVE
Alcohol use established during the first-year of college can result in adverse consequences during the college years and beyond. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the efficacy of interventions to prevent alcohol misuse by first-year college students.


METHODS
Studies were included if the study reported an individual- or group-level intervention using a randomized controlled trial, targeted 1st-year college students, and assessed alcohol use. Forty-one studies with 62 separate interventions (N = 24,294; 57% women; 77% White) were included. Independent raters coded sample, design, methodological features, and intervention content. Weighted mean effect sizes, using fixed- and random-effects models, were calculated. Potential moderators, determined a priori, were examined to explain variability in effect sizes.


RESULTS
Relative to controls, students receiving an intervention reported lower quantity and frequency of drinking and fewer problems (d(+)s = 0.07-0.14). These results were more pronounced when the interventions were compared with an assessment-only control group (d(+)s = 0.11-0.19). Intervention content (e.g., personalized feedback) moderated the efficacy of the intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
Behavioral interventions for 1st-year college students reduce alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems. Interventions that include personalized feedback, moderation strategies, expectancy challenge, identification of risky situations, and goal-setting optimize efficacy. Strategies to prevent alcohol misuse among first-year students are recommended.
Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital.
Lori A J
LA
Scott-Sheldon
Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University.
Kate B
KB
Carey
Department of Psychology, Syracuse University.
Jennifer C
JC
Elliott
Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University.
Lorra
L
Garey
Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital.
Michael P
MP
Carey
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013334:Students; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014495:Universities