Alcohol interventions for Greek letter organizations: A systematic review and meta-analysis, 1987 to 2014

This meta-analysis examines the efficacy of interventions to reduce alcohol consumption and related problems among college student members of Greek letter organizations.

Studies were identified through electronic bibliographic database searches and reviews of reference sections of relevant articles, and studies were included if the study evaluated (a) an individual-level alcohol intervention, (b) sampled fraternity or sorority members, and (c) measured alcohol consumption or problems. Included were 15 studies with 21 separate interventions (n = 6,026; 18% women). Independent raters coded sample, design, methodological features, and intervention content. Between- and within-group weighted mean effect sizes were calculated using random-effects models. Potential moderators, determined a priori, examined variability in effect sizes.

Interventions targeting fraternity or sorority members were not successful in reducing alcohol consumption and related problems relative to controls; however, participants in these interventions did reduce the quantity consumed on specific occasions and the frequency of drinking days from pre- to post-test. Interventions that addressed alcohol expectancies were associated with less alcohol consumption on specific occasions. Interventions that provided moderation strategies and skills-training, identified high-risk situations, or encouraged setting goals were associated with less reduction in the frequency of heavy drinking.

Extant alcohol interventions show limited efficacy in reducing consumption and problems among fraternity and sorority members. More robust interventions are needed for use with student members of Greek letter organizations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).