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Published on: January 5, 2018
Efficacy of a brief cognitive behavioral therapy program to reduce excessive drinking behavior among new recruits
Paul M McCarthy1, David O'Sullivan
1Personnel Support Service, Irish Naval Service Haulbowline, Cobh, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland.
Abstract:
This pilot study evaluated the efficacy of a brief cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention program designed to reduce excessive pre-enlistment drinking behaviors in a sample of Irish Navy recruits undergoing a 16-week basic training course. Participants were randomly allocated to either a treatment (TG) or control group (CG) (N = 13 each). The program was conducted over four consecutive 1.5-hour weekly sessions. Data were collected at pre and post intervention as well as at a 2-month follow-up. In comparison to those in the control group, participants who received the intervention reported increased scores (p < 0.05) in readiness to change drinking at time 2 and reduced scores in binge drinking (p < 0.05) at time 3. There were also marginal changes in self-efficacy and risky drinking behavior. This work adds to the evidence of the emerging efficacy of a workplace CBT intervention for unhealthy drinking.
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