The broad, long-term objective of the current application is to reduce the prevalence of alcohol abuse and alcohol-related negative consequences in college student social organizations, through the development of effective prevention programs. This research is an extension of successful brief motivational enhancement approaches to the prevention of alcohol-related problems with individuals.
The specific aims of the study are (1) To test the efficacy of a combined group and individual motivational enhancement approach to the prevention of alcohol problems in fraternity and sorority pledge (freshman) class members; (2) to test the transfer of program effects within these organizations to members not directly targeted by the intervention; and (3) to evaluate changes in perceived norms for alcohol consumption and motivation to change drinking behavior as mediators of program effectiveness. To accomplish these objectives, 12 fraternities and 12 sororities will be randomly selected from all houses on the University of Washington Campus. Houses will be stratified by gender, then randomly assigned to one of two conditions: prevention programming (n=6 fraternities, 6 sororities) or assessment-only control (n=6 fraternities, 6 sororities). Pledge (freshman) class members of houses assigned to the prevention condition (n=210 subjects, 90 freshman men, 120 freshman women) will receive individual motivational interviews during Winter quarter of their first year at the University, and will also receive graphic feedback summarizing their progress in the Winter quarter of their sophomore year. In addition, the entire membership of houses assigned to the prevention condition will be provided with a group motivational feedback program in the Winter quarter of the first year, which will include the provision of aggregate feedback tailored to the specific risks of their organization and developed in conjunction with house leaders. A follow-up feedback program will be provided during Spring quarter of the first year. Pledge class members will be followed up for four years, to assess short- and long-term program efficacy. In addition, organizational response to the intervention will be determined through assessment of two successive pledge classes in each house during the follow-up period.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AA010772-03
Application #
2682999
Study Section
Clinical and Treatment Subcommittee (ALCP)
Project Start
1996-04-01
Project End
2001-03-31
Budget Start
1998-04-01
Budget End
1999-03-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Washington
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
135646524
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195
Larimer, Mary E; Turner, Aaron P; Mallett, Kimberly A et al. (2004) Predicting drinking behavior and alcohol-related problems among fraternity and sorority members: examining the role of descriptive and injunctive norms. Psychol Addict Behav 18:203-12
Neighbors, Clayton; Walker, Denise D; Larimer, Mary E (2003) Expectancies and evaluations of alcohol effects among college students: self-determination as a moderator. J Stud Alcohol 64:292-300
O'Leary, Tracy A; Brown, Sandra A; Colby, Suzanne M et al. (2002) Treating adolescents together or individually? Issues in adolescent substance abuse interventions. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 26:890-9
Larimer, Mary E; Cronce, Jessica M (2002) Identification, prevention and treatment: a review of individual-focused strategies to reduce problematic alcohol consumption by college students. J Stud Alcohol Suppl :148-63
Neighbors, Clayton; Lostutter, Ty W; Larimer, Mary E et al. (2002) Measuring gambling outcomes among college students. J Gambl Stud 18:339-60
Larimer, M E; Turner, A P; Anderson, B K et al. (2001) Evaluating a brief alcohol intervention with fraternities. J Stud Alcohol 62:370-80
Turner, A P; Larimer, M E; Sarason, I G (2000) Family risk factors for alcohol-related consequences and poor adjustment in fraternity and sorority members: exploring the role of parent-child conflict. J Stud Alcohol 61:818-26
Larimer, M E; Palmer, R S; Marlatt, G A (1999) Relapse prevention. An overview of Marlatt's cognitive-behavioral model. Alcohol Res Health 23:151-60