Brief intervention for risk-drinking women: a mixed methods analysis of content and process

Although brief interventions (BIs) are among the most highly promoted treatments for alcohol problems, their effective components are unknown. This may be particularly important when considering women since some reviews have suggested that BIs are more efficacious among men. The purpose of this pilot study is to utilize a mixed methods and gender analysis approach to generate hypotheses about the effective components of BIs given to women with medical problems exacerbated by problem drinking.

Random sample of 20 BIs given to women with diabetes, hypertension, infertility, or osteoporosis. Quantitative and qualitative analytic methods were undertaken in a stepwise progression, followed by a gender analysis using the Worldview Assessment Framework.

Main findings include that a worldview encompassing drinking as an entitlement may be a moderator limiting the effectiveness of a BI, that understanding the impact of alcohol on infertility problems as distinct from prenatal alcohol use may be a mediator for BI effectiveness, and that providing information about sensible drinking limits in the context of a specific medical problem was feasible.

Content and process areas are important to consider when offering BI for risk-drinking women with medical problems and may help to improve treatment efficacy in this group.