Evaluation of a Personalized Feedback Intervention for Nonstudent Emerging Adult at-Risk Drinkers

Introduction: Emerging adulthood is a period of heightened vulnerability for problematic alcohol use. Considerable research has been devoted to reducing alcohol risks in college student populations, though far less effort has focused on their noncollege-attending peers. Research targeting nonstudent emerging adults is critical as this group is at higher long-term risk for developing substance use disorders. Consequently, the main objective of the present randomized study was to examine the preliminary efficacy of a brief personalized feedback intervention (PFI) tailored for nonstudent at-risk drinkers. A secondary study objective was to explore participant acceptability of the intervention. 

Methods: Participants were 164 (65.9% men) emerging adults (M age = 21.98, SD = 2.02) recruited from the community. They were randomly assigned to either the 50-minute, in-person PFI or an assessment-only control group. The PFI included feedback regarding their alcohol consumption, alcohol-related consequences, normative drinking comparisons, personal risk factors (e.g., dependence symptoms, family history of alcoholism), alcohol expectancies and drinking moderation strategies. Feedback was delivered within the context of a brief motivational interview. Follow-up assessments were administered at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 9-months.

Results: Results showed that for short-term change (1-month), the PFI condition reduced drinking significantly more than controls. For longer-term change (1-month to 9-month), both conditions continued to show gradual decline in consumption. In examining the magnitude of decline over time, PFI participants exhibited stronger initial reductions at 1-month post-intervention and they also exhibited generally a stronger magnitude of change from baseline to 9 months relative to controls. The groups did not differ in alcohol-related problems and the intervention was equally effective for both women and men. Regarding acceptability, participants were extremely satisfied with the intervention, perceived the information to be personally relevant, and thought it provided them a new way of looking at their own drinking.

Conclusions: Overall, the present research advanced knowledge regarding an understudied and at-risk group of drinkers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first randomized study to evaluate a brief intervention tailored to the needs of nonstudent emerging adults based on prior formative research with this group. Our data supports PFI as a promising intervention approach for nonstudent drinkers in the community. Ultimately, this line of research aims to reduce alcohol-related health disparities associated with inequities in education.