Development of a psychologically enhanced interactive online intervention for hazardous drinking

Area of Science:

• Digital Health Interventions
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Novel health interventions, particularly online resources, often lack detailed specification.
• Hazardous drinking is a significant public health concern requiring accessible interventions.
• Previous versions of internet resources may benefit from iterative redevelopment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a detailed account of the rationale and redevelopment process for an internet resource for hazardous drinkers, named Down Your Drink (DYD).
• To describe the structure and content of the revised DYD website.
• To highlight the importance of detailed intervention descriptions for evaluation and replication.

Main Methods:

• An iterative development process was employed.
• Methods included literature reviews of internet interventions and brief alcohol treatments.
• User feedback from the original site and user panels informed the redevelopment.

Main Results:

• The new version of the website features a detailed structure and content.
• The design emphasizes user choice in accessing diverse materials.
• A clear organizational structure is a key feature of the intervention.

Conclusions:

• Detailed information on theoretical underpinnings, content, and structure facilitates intervention evaluation.
• This approach is valuable for researchers and developers creating online interventions for alcohol or other health behaviors.
• Well-specified online interventions improve the interpretability of evaluation results.