title: Assessment reactivity: A randomized controlled trial of alcohol-specific measures on alcohol-related behaviors.
abstract: Completion of alcohol assessments influences treatment outcomes, yet little is known about the aspects of assessment that may contribute to this response. The present study is a randomized controlled trial examining how the themes of alcohol assessments (e.g., assessment of alcohol-related consequences as opposed to drinking patterns) may affect drinking behaviors.
  
  
  
  Undergraduate students (N=290, Mage=19.97, SDage=1.81, 61.7% female), reporting at least one binge drinking episode during the past month, completed one of five baseline assessment batteries that varied thematically: (a) Control (e.g., minimal drinking quantity and frequency questions), (b) Consequences (e.g., College Alcohol Problems Scale; CAPS-r), (c) Norms (e.g., Drinking Norms Rating Form), (d) Diagnostic (e.g., Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test), and (e) Combined (all themes). Participants completed a one-month follow-up of drinking quantity/frequency and the CAPS-r.
  
  
  
  All groups decreased their self-reported peak drinks consumed (p<0.001, ηp2=0.05) and past month frequency of drinking (p=0.002, ηp2=0.03; except for the consequences group) from baseline to follow-up. There were no between-group differences. No changes emerged in drinks per week (p=0.09, ηp2=0.01) or alcohol-related consequences (p=0.06, ηp2=0.03) from baseline to follow-up.
  
  
  
  Minimal assessment of drinking quantity and frequency may result in assessment reactivity. Reductions in markers of risky drinking behaviors did not differ as a function of the type of assessments completed (e.g., Consequences vs Diagnostic). Continued research is needed to determine what other important variables (e.g., treatment seeking) may affect assessment reactivity.
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota, Department of Psychiatry, 717 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, United States. Electronic address: Meier109@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.affiliation: Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Box G-S121-5, Providence, RI 02912, United States.
authors.forename: Mary Beth
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Oklahoma State University, Department of Psychology, 118 N. Murray, Stillwater, OK 74078, United States.
authors.forename: Nate
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.affiliation: Oklahoma State University, Department of Psychology, 118 N. Murray, Stillwater, OK 74078, United States.
authors.forename: Thad
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Leffingwell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D063425:Binge Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012107:Research Design; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Assessment reactivity; Drinking; Intervention; Young adult