Remote versus in-lab computer-delivered personalized normative feedback interventions for college student drinking

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Intervention Science
• Substance Use Research

Background:

• Computer-based interventions show promise for reducing college student drinking.
• Personalized normative feedback (PNF) is a common digital intervention strategy.
• Delivery modality (in-person vs. remote) may influence intervention effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of computer-based PNF interventions for college student drinking based on delivery modality.
• To analyze differences in outcomes between in-person and remote intervention delivery.

Main Methods:

• Meta-analysis of six studies evaluating computer-based PNF interventions.
• Comparison of outcomes (drinks per week, consequences, perceived norms) between laboratory-based (in-person) and web-based (remote) delivery.
• Hierarchical linear modeling to assess intervention efficacy by modality.

Main Results:

• Computer-based interventions demonstrated significantly less effectiveness in reducing alcohol consumption and related consequences when delivered remotely compared to in-person.
• The efficacy difference suggests modality is a critical factor in intervention outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Remote delivery of computer-based interventions for college student drinking may compromise effectiveness.
• The benefits of remote accessibility come at a potential cost to intervention impact.
• Further research is needed to understand mechanisms underlying reduced efficacy in remote settings.