Reducing High-Risk Drinking Among Student-Athletes: The Effects of a Targeted Athlete-Specific Brief Intervention.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the effects of a single-session motivational interviewing-based in-person brief alcohol intervention that contained student-athlete-specific personalized drinking feedback.


METHODS
Participants were 170 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I student-athletes meeting screening criteria for heavy episodic drinking.


METHODS
Baseline assessments of alcohol use frequency and quantity, norm perceptions of peers' alcohol use, experiences of negative consequences, and use of protective behaviors were administered to student-athletes prior to a 1-session brief intervention containing personalized feedback highlighting the relationship between alcohol use and athletic performance. Follow-up assessment was conducted 3 months post intervention.


RESULTS
Student-athletes participating in the athlete-specific brief intervention showed significant reductions in their alcohol use and alcohol-related negative consequences, increases in use of protective behavioral strategies, and corrections in norm misperceptions at 3 months post intervention relative to a no-treatment comparison group.


CONCLUSIONS
Student-athlete-specific brief alcohol interventions show promise in addressing high-risk drinking, reducing associated harms, and supporting health.
M Dolores
MD
Cimini
Joseph M
JM
Monserrat
Karen L
KL
Sokolowski
Joyce Y
JY
Dewitt-Parker
Estela M
EM
Rivero
Lee A
LA
McElroy
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D063425:Binge Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D062405:Motivational Interviewing / Q000379:methods; D009511:New England / Q000453:epidemiology; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010379:Peer Group; D066262:Social Norms; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
alcohol; brief intervention; mental health; prevention; student-athletes