Session: Intervening with and Identifying Risk Factors for Problematic Drinking Among Emerging Adults: Results with College and Noncollege Samples (Society for Prevention Research 25th Annual Meeting)

SESSION INTRODUCTION: Emerging adulthood is a period of heightened vulnerability for problematic alcohol use. For college-attending emerging adults, as well as their noncollege-attending counterparts, the extent of harms associated with problematic drinking is well-documented. Given the drinking-related risk experienced by both college students and nonstudents, efficacious interventions remain a critical need. Furthermore, research is needed to identify relevant factors that heighten or maintain the risk for problematic drinking as to inform intervention development or refinement that sufficiently addresses the concerns of this age group. Thus, the aim of the proposed symposium is to present research regarding key contextual factors uniquely associated with high-risk beverage use, as well as to present findings of two brief alcohol intervention trials. Collectively, the present set of papers seeks to contribute to the larger body of literature on drinking-related risk reduction and to advance intervention efforts for a broad spectrum of emerging adults which include both college- and noncollege-attenders.

Abstract One reports on the evaluation of a brief alcohol intervention tailored for nonstudent emerging adult at-risk drinkers. Using a randomized controlled design, the study examined the impact of a personalized feedback intervention (PFI) on reducing drinking and associated consequences in a community-based sample of nonstudents relative to an assessment-only control group. This investigation supports the preliminary efficacy of a PFI approach to address the drinking of this vulnerable and understudied sub-group of emerging adults.

Abstract Two reports on an intervention trial with college drinkers. The study examined the use of personalized emailed boosters to improve the efficacy of an online feedback-based alcohol intervention. The study also examined normative drinking perceptions as a mechanism of change. Findings support the use of personalized boosters delivered via email as a method to enhance initial intervention benefits. Its use could be an efficient and cost-effective means to reduce high risk drinking among students.

Abstract Three reports on a study that explored key contextual factors associated with risky beverage consumption (i.e., alcohol mixed with energy drinks [AmEDs]) among college drinkers. Using a daily diary design, the study compared days of AmEDs use versus other alcohol use to determine characteristics of the drinking episode (i.e., where, when, with whom) that are associated with increased likelihood of AmED use. Findings support the unique nature of AmED use as it may serve to maintain hazardous drinking patterns. This work could inform targets of intervention for problematic drinking among college students.