Evaluating a brief alcohol intervention with fraternities

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Addiction Research

Background:

• College students, particularly fraternity members, are at high risk for excessive alcohol consumption.
• Existing prevention programs often lack demonstrated efficacy in reducing alcohol use and related harms in this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a brief motivational enhancement intervention in reducing alcohol consumption and drinking-related consequences.
• To compare the outcomes of an intervention delivered by peer interviewers versus professional research staff.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 12 fraternities assigned to either an intervention or control group.
• The intervention included individual and housewide feedback components.
• Assessments were conducted during the first year of membership and at a 1-year follow-up.

Main Results:

• Intervention participants showed significant reductions in total average alcohol consumption and peak blood alcohol concentrations compared to controls.
• No significant differences were found in drinking-related consequences between groups.
• Outcomes were similar whether individualized feedback was delivered by peers or professional staff.

Conclusions:

• A brief motivational enhancement intervention is effective in reducing alcohol consumption among first-year fraternity members.
• Utilizing peer interviewers is a promising and cost-effective method for delivering prevention programs in college settings.