Nancy P Barnett1, Melissa A Clark2, Shannon R Kenney3, Graham DiGuiseppi4, Matthew K Meisel4, Sara Balestrieri4, Miles Q Ott5, John Light6. 1. Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, United States. Electronic address: nancy_barnett@brown.edu. 2. Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, United States. 3. Behavioral Medicine Department, Butler Hospital, Providence, RI 02906, United States; Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, United States. 4. Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, United States. 5. Program in Statistical and Data Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063, United States. 6. Oregon Research Institute, Eugene, OR, 97403, United States.
Abstract
Heavy drinking and its consequences among college students represent a serious public health problem, and peer social networks are a robust predictor of drinking-related risk behaviors. In a recent trial, we administered a Brief Motivational Intervention (BMI) to a small number of first-year college students to assess the indirect effects of the intervention on peers not receiving the intervention. OBJECTIVES: To present the research design, describe the methods used to successfully enroll a high proportion of a first-year college class network, and document participant characteristics. METHODS: Prior to study enrollment, we consulted with a student advisory group and campus stakeholders to aid in the development of study-related procedures. Enrollment and baseline procedures were completed in the first six weeks of the academic semester. Surveys assessed demographics, alcohol use, and social network ties. Individuals were assigned to a BMI or control group according to their dormitory location. RESULTS:The majority of incoming first-year students (1342/1660; 81%) were enrolled (55% female, 52% nonwhite, mean age 18.6 [SD = 0.51]). Differences between the intervention and control group were noted in alcohol use, but were in large part a function of there being more substance-free dormitory floors in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The current study was successful in enrolling a large proportion of a first-year college class and can serve as a template for social network investigations.
RCT Entities:
Heavy drinking and its consequences among college students represent a serious public health problem, and peer social networks are a robust predictor of drinking-related risk behaviors. In a recent trial, we administered a Brief Motivational Intervention (BMI) to a small number of first-year college students to assess the indirect effects of the intervention on peers not receiving the intervention. OBJECTIVES: To present the research design, describe the methods used to successfully enroll a high proportion of a first-year college class network, and document participant characteristics. METHODS: Prior to study enrollment, we consulted with a student advisory group and campus stakeholders to aid in the development of study-related procedures. Enrollment and baseline procedures were completed in the first six weeks of the academic semester. Surveys assessed demographics, alcohol use, and social network ties. Individuals were assigned to a BMI or control group according to their dormitory location. RESULTS: The majority of incoming first-year students (1342/1660; 81%) were enrolled (55% female, 52% nonwhite, mean age 18.6 [SD = 0.51]). Differences between the intervention and control group were noted in alcohol use, but were in large part a function of there being more substance-free dormitory floors in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The current study was successful in enrolling a large proportion of a first-year college class and can serve as a template for social network investigations.
Authors: Melissa J Cox; Angelo M DiBello; Matthew K Meisel; Miles Q Ott; Shannon R Kenney; Melissa A Clark; Nancy P Barnett Journal: Psychol Addict Behav Date: 2019-03-14
Authors: Graham T DiGuiseppi; Jordan P Davis; Matthew K Meisel; Melissa A Clark; Mya L Roberson; Miles Q Ott; Nancy P Barnett Journal: Addict Behav Date: 2019-12-03 Impact factor: 3.913