Psychoeducational Messaging to Reduce Alcohol Use for College Students With Type 1 Diabetes: Internet-Delivered Pilot...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Endocrinology

Background:

• College environments foster high-volume alcohol consumption, posing risks for individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D).
• Limited research exists on interventions for reducing alcohol use among college students with T1D.
• The impact of intervention narrator (peer vs. clinician) on behavior change is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the acceptability and effectiveness of a web-based psychoeducational intervention for reducing alcohol use in college students with T1D.
• To compare the effects of peer versus clinician narrators within the intervention on knowledge, perceptions, and alcohol use.

Main Methods:

• 138 college students with T1D were recruited via web-based channels.
• Participants were randomly assigned to one of two intervention versions differing only by narrator (peer or clinician).
• Assessments of alcohol and diabetes knowledge, perceptions, and use were conducted at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 2-week follow-up.

Main Results:

• Significant post-intervention increases in knowledge of alcohol's effects on diabetes, health-protective attitudes, and concerns about drinking were observed.
• Binge drinking decreased significantly at 2-week follow-up (21.3%) compared to baseline (35.2%).
• Participants viewing the clinician narrator rated them as more knowledgeable and trustworthy; no other significant narrator-based differences were found.

Conclusions:

• The web-based intervention model is acceptable and effective in reducing binge drinking among college students with T1D.
• The intervention's format allows for broad reach and dissemination.
• Both peer and clinician narrators improved knowledge and attitudes, though credibility perceptions differed.