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Computer-delivered personalized feedback intervention for hazardous drinkers with elevated anxiety sensitivity: A
Daniel J Paulus1, Matthew W Gallagher2, Clayton Neighbors3
1University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
Behaviour Research and Therapy
|April 4, 2021
Summary
A single-session, remote personalized feedback intervention (PFI) effectively reduced hazardous drinking and anxiety sensitivity in college students with emotional vulnerabilities. This brief intervention shows promise for a high-risk, underserved population.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Hazardous drinkers with emotional vulnerabilities, such as anxiety sensitivity, represent an underserved population.
- Effective interventions are needed for this group, particularly those that are accessible and scalable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of a remotely-delivered, single-session personalized feedback intervention (PFI).
- The intervention targeted alcohol misuse and anxiety sensitivity in college students.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 125 hazardous drinkers with elevated anxiety sensitivity.
- Participants were assigned to either an integrated PFI or an attention control group.
- Latent growth curve modeling analyzed outcomes at one week, one month, and three months post-intervention.
Main Results:
- Recruitment and retention were feasible, with no significant differences between groups.
- The PFI was rated as more acceptable than the control condition.
- The PFI group showed significantly greater improvements in motivation, hazardous alcohol use, and anxiety sensitivity compared to the control group.
Conclusions:
- A single-session, remote PFI is feasible, acceptable, and shows initial efficacy for hazardous drinkers with anxiety sensitivity.
- The computer-based format suggests potential for future low-cost, widespread delivery.
- Further research with larger samples is warranted to confirm these promising findings.
