Social Media Interventions for Risky Drinking Among Adolescents and Emerging Adults: Protocol for a Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Psychology
• Digital Health

Background:

• Adolescent and emerging adult risky drinking remains a significant public health concern.
• Social media platforms offer a potential avenue for broad-reach early interventions.
• Peer influences on social media are particularly salient for this age group.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the efficacy of a social media intervention for risky drinking in youth.
• To compare intervention delivery with and without financial incentives against an attention placebo control.
• To assess the impact on alcohol consumption and related consequences.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial (RCT) recruited 955 participants aged 16-24 via social media.
• Participants screened positive for risky drinking (AUDIT-C) and were randomized into three groups.
• Intervention involved secret Facebook groups with therapist-led content and Motivational Interviewing techniques over 8 weeks.

Main Results:

• 955 participants screening positive for risky drinking were enrolled in the RCT.
• Follow-up assessments are ongoing at 3, 6, and 12 months post-intervention.

Conclusions:

• This study provides a critical next step in delivering early alcohol interventions to youth via social media.
• Findings could have significant public health impact by altering alcohol use trajectories.
• The intervention capitalizes on social media to address risky drinking and associated drug use.