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Pedersen ER, Hummer JF, Davis JP, Fitzke RE, Tran DD, Witkiewitz K, Clapp JD. A mobile-based pregaming drinking prevention intervention for college students: A pilot randomized controlled trial. PSYCHOLOGY OF ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS 2023; 37:841-852. [PMID: 37053413 PMCID: PMC10570401 DOI: 10.1037/adb0000925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pregaming is among the riskiest drinking behaviors in which college students engage, often leading to elevated blood alcohol levels and negative alcohol-related consequences. Yet, tailored interventions to reduce risk associated with pregaming are lacking. The present study was designed to develop and evaluate the efficacy of a brief, mobile-based intervention targeting heavy drinking during pregaming among college students, called Pregaming Awareness in College Environments (PACE). METHOD PACE was developed using two innovations to facilitate behavior change: (a) a mobile-based application to increase intervention accessibility and (b) personalized pregaming-specific intervention content delivered using a harm reduction approach with cognitive behavioral skills training. After development and β-testing, we employed a randomized clinical trial with 485 college students who reported pregaming at least once per week in the past month (Mage = 19.98; 52.2% from minoritized racial and/or ethnic groups; 65.6% female). Participants were randomly assigned to PACE (n = 242) or a control condition website (n = 243), which consisted of general information about the effects of alcohol. Analysis assessed intervention effects on pregaming drinking, global drinking, and alcohol-related consequences at 6 and 14 weeks postintervention. RESULTS Although participants in both conditions reduced drinking, small and significant intervention effects favoring PACE were found at 6-week follow-up for overall drinking days, pregaming days, and alcohol-related consequences. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest the brief mobile PACE intervention has potential to address risky drinking, but more intensive pregaming-focused efforts may be necessary to achieve stronger and lasting effects among college students. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric R. Pedersen
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
- USC Institute for Addiction Science
| | | | - Jordan P. Davis
- USC Institute for Addiction Science
- University of Southern California, Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
| | - Reagan E. Fitzke
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
| | - Denise D. Tran
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
| | | | - John D. Clapp
- USC Institute for Addiction Science
- University of Southern California, Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences
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Zamboanga BL, Van Hedger K, George AM. Prologue to the special issue on predrinking and drinking game behaviors among adolescents and young adults in the United States and across the globe: Definitions and overview of prevalence rates. Addict Behav 2023; 144:107731. [PMID: 37163887 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Predrinking and drinking games (DGs) are common risky drinking practices among adolescents and young adults in many different countries around the world. However, most studies on these behaviors have been conducted with university student samples in a limited number of countries. Despite the risks of negative alcohol-related consequences associated with predrinking and DGs, these activities are quite prevalent among young people. In this prologue, we provide definitions for predrinking and DGs and an extensive overview of the known prevalence rates of predrinking and DGs among young people around the world. This special issue addresses known gaps in the literature by including articles which (a) use differing methodologies to examine predrinking or DGs behavior, (b) consider psychosocial and contextual factors that influence these behaviors, and (c) examine young people's perceptions of alcohol policies and interventions. Taken together this Special Issue offers an international view on how and why young people around the world engage in these risky drinking practices, and potential ways to address these behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byron L Zamboanga
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Arkansas, United States.
| | | | - Amanda M George
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Health Sciences, University of Canberra, Australia
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Caudwell KM, Aquili L, Mullan BA. Analysis of participant-rated feasibility and acceptability of an online, theory-based pre-drinking behavioural intervention. Addict Behav 2023; 138:107568. [PMID: 36463607 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
To date, few interventions have been developed to target pre-drinking specifically. An online, theory-based intervention by Caudwell et al. (2018) showed reductions in pre-drinking alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm, albeit independent of the intervention component/s used. Information about feasibility and acceptability of pre-drinking interventions may therefore be an important point of focus in refining and developing effective interventions. The present manuscript investigates how participants (N = 117) in Caudwell et al. (2018) rated the intervention in terms of feasibility and acceptability. A feasibility and acceptability measure was factor analysed and investigated in relation to participant scores on theory-based measures (e.g., attitude, goal self-concordance), as well as demographic and alcohol consumption variables measured at baseline. Results indicate participants with higher scores on theory-based measures related to behaviour change and goal self-concordance at baseline rated the intervention more positively at follow-up. The findings indicate future intervention research should consider stages of change, with broader alcohol policy and public health strategy focused on changing attitudes toward pre-drinking, which remains a popular health-risk behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim M Caudwell
- Researchers in Behavioural Addictions, Alcohol and Drugs, College of Health and Human Sciences, Charles Darwin University, Brinkin, Northern Territory, Australia; Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia.
| | - Luca Aquili
- Discipline of Psychology, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Barbara A Mullan
- Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
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Pedersen ER, Hummer JF, Davis JP, Fitzke RE, Christie NC, Witkiewitz K, Clapp JD. A mobile-based pregaming drinking prevention intervention for college students: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2022; 17:31. [PMID: 35717303 PMCID: PMC9206220 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-022-00314-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregaming is a high-drink context popular among college students that often leads to elevated blood alcohol levels and negative consequences. Over 15 years of research studies have demonstrated that pregaming represents one of the riskiest known behaviors among college students, yet no pregaming-specific interventions have been developed to help prevent this behavior. General brief interventions for students do not reduce pregaming behavior and may not be appropriate, as they do not help students develop skills unique to the pregaming context that could help them drink less. We developed a brief, mobile-based intervention that is proposed to prevent heavy drinking during pregaming for college students, with the ultimate goal that behavioral reductions in this risky practice will ultimately affect global drinking and prevent consequences. METHODS/DESIGN The intervention, Pregaming Awareness in College Environments (PACE), was developed by combining two innovations to facilitate behavior change: (1) a mobile-based application that increases accessibility, is easy and engaging to use, and broadens the reach of the intervention content and (2) personalized pregaming-specific intervention content with harm reduction and cognitive behavioral skills proven to be mechanisms preventing and reducing heavy drinking among college students. After a develop and beta-test phase, we propose to test the efficacy of PACE in a preliminary randomized controlled trial with 500 college students who pregame at least once per week. Pregaming, general drinking, and alcohol-related consequences outcomes will be examined in the immediate (2 weeks post-intervention) and short-terms (six and 14-week post-intervention). We will also evaluate moderator effects for age, sex, and heaviness of drinking to allow for more refined information for a planned larger test of the intervention to follow this initial trial of PACE. DISCUSSION This pregaming intervention clinical trial, if found to be efficacious, will culminate with an easily-disseminated mobile-based intervention for college student drinkers. It has the potential to reach millions of college students, perhaps as a clinical tool used by college counseling centers as an adjunct to formal care or as a preventive tool for first-year students or other high-risk groups on campus. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT04016766.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric R Pedersen
- Keck School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, USC Institute for Addiction Science, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, Suite 2200, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, United States.
| | | | - Jordan P Davis
- Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work; USC Center for Artificial Intelligence in Society; USC Center for Mindfulness Science; USC Institute for Addiction Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Reagan E Fitzke
- Keck School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, USC Institute for Addiction Science, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, Suite 2200, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, United States
| | - Nina C Christie
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Katie Witkiewitz
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States
| | - John D Clapp
- Suzanne Dworkak-Peck School of Social Work; Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine; USC Institute for Addiction Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States
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Calverley HLM, Petrass LA, Blitvich JD. A systematic review of alcohol education programs for young people: do these programs change behavior? HEALTH EDUCATION RESEARCH 2021; 36:87-99. [PMID: 33306789 DOI: 10.1093/her/cyaa049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Numerous education programs have addressed young peoples' alcohol use. To date, no peer-reviewed publication has evaluated the effectiveness of such programs delivered across a range of contexts to change alcohol-related behaviors, attitudes and/or knowledge. This systematic review aimed to identify alcohol education programs addressing young people, and determine whether they changed alcohol-related behavior, knowledge and attitudes; and, ascertain components of successful programs. Studies were identified, guided by the PRISMA review process, from the earliest records until June 2020. Included studies (N = 70) comprised an alcohol education program which focused on young people (15-24 years). Forty programs reported behavior changes, and these programs were the highest quality. Others impacted attitudes and/or knowledge only (n = 12); or reported no impacts (n = 17). Recent programs were more likely than older programs to feature online delivery and report behavior changes. To enhance alcohol education, future programs should include the identified quality criteria, alongside process and long-term outcome evaluations, to better monitor effectiveness. Findings indicated some education programs have capacity to positively change alcohol-related behavior; however, outcome consistency varied even in high-quality programs. Alcohol education programs should be designed alongside health education/promotion models and best-practice recommendations, to improve the likelihood of desirable behavior-related outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L M Calverley
- School of Education, Federation University Australia, University Drive, Mt Helen, Victoria, 3350, Australia
| | - Lauren A Petrass
- School of Education, Federation University Australia, University Drive, Mt Helen, Victoria, 3350, Australia
| | - Jennifer D Blitvich
- School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia, University Drive, Mt Helen, Victoria, 3350, Australia
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Williams CM, Reynolds LM, Mastroleo NR. Comparison of Pregaming Alcohol Use and Consequences by Season Status and Sex in College Student Athletes. JOURNAL OF DRUG EDUCATION 2020; 49:71-86. [PMID: 33256426 DOI: 10.1177/0047237920976658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
As student athletes exhibit unique alcohol use patterns based on being in- versus out-of-season and biological sex, we aimed to explore student athlete (N = 442) alcohol use, pregaming behaviors, and associated negative outcomes. Results suggest being out-of-season and male are positively associated with negative alcohol-related consequences, and male athletes report greater numbers of pregame specific alcohol-related consequences than female athletes (p < .05). Female athletes indicated significantly higher estimated blood alcohol concentrations than male athletes on pregaming nights. No differences emerged between in- and out-of-season athletes on pregame consequences. Results suggest that further emphasis on the role season status and sex has on pregaming behaviors and experiencing negative outcomes may be an important next step toward enhancing prevention and intervention approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callon M Williams
- College of Community and Public Affairs, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, United States
| | - Linda M Reynolds
- College of Community and Public Affairs, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, United States
| | - Nadine R Mastroleo
- College of Community and Public Affairs, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, United States
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Pedersen ER, Davis JP, Hummer JF, DiGuiseppi G, Sedano A, Rodriguez A, Clapp JD. Development of a Measure to Assess Protective Behavioral Strategies for Pregaming among Young Adults. Subst Use Misuse 2020; 55:534-545. [PMID: 31847662 PMCID: PMC7310598 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2019.1686025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Background: Although most young adults drink alcohol, there are specific drinking contexts that are associated with increased risk for alcohol-related consequences. One such drinking context is pregaming, which typically involves heavy drinking in brief periods of time and has consistently been linked to consequences within the pregaming event itself, on a night after pregaming, and in the long-term. Intervention efforts that specifically target this risky behavior are needed, but these efforts need to be informed by empirical work to better understand what behaviors young people engage in that can protect them from pregaming-related harms. Purpose: We designed this study to create a measure of protective behavioral strategies that young people use before, during, and after pregaming to inform future intervention work. Methods: We tested an item pool with 363 young adult college students who engaged in pregaming in the past year and conducted exploratory factor analysis to develop a 19-item Protective Behavioral Strategies for Pregaming (PBSP) scale, which featured four subscales of safety and familiarity, setting drink limits, pacing strategies, and minimizing intoxication. Results: Each subscale negatively and significantly correlated with measures of alcohol use and consequences, though subscales differed in their associations with specific pregaming outcomes and by sex. Conclusion: This initial exploratory examination of the PBSP scale's psychometric properties suggests that use of protective behavioral strategies used specifically during pregaming events may protect young people from heavy drinking and harms. More research with the PBSP scale is encouraged to determine its practical utility as a clinical and assessment tool with young people.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jordan P Davis
- University of Southern California, Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work; USC Institute for Addiction Science, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Graham DiGuiseppi
- University of Southern California, Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work; USC Institute for Addiction Science, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Angeles Sedano
- University of Southern California, Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work; USC Institute for Addiction Science, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - John D Clapp
- University of Southern California, Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work; Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine; USC Institute for Addiction Science, Los Angeles, California, USA
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