Brief Alcohol Screening for Community College Students (BASICCS)

Overview

The present study focuses on examining the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of an adapted alcohol intervention for high-risk college students attending community colleges. Investigators adapted BASICS (an efficacious in-person intervention developed for high-risk drinkers attending 4-year colleges and universities) to a web-conferencing format that allows the facilitator and participant to see and discuss live web-based personalized feedback. SMS text messages with protective behavioral strategies were also provided. The objective of the R34 was to establish feasibility and acceptability as well as to determine preliminary or likely effect sizes.

Young adulthood (ages 18-29) is associated with increased risk for alcohol-related negative consequences; however, little is known about effective interventions for young adults attending community colleges (CCs). Thus, it is critical to develop an intervention that meets the various needs and demanding lifestyles of CC students. The investigators proposed to develop a user-friendly and convenient intervention that addresses relevant social norms, the impact of high-risk alcohol use on health and well-being in relevant life domains beyond student life and academic achievement, and provides ongoing exposure to behavior change strategies. To address the notable differences between CC students and traditional 4-year students, the investigators adapted BASICS to a web-conferencing format that allows the facilitator and participant to see and discuss live web-based personalized feedback (FB). This intervention for CC students, BASICCS, will focus on relevant normative feedback and alcohol's impact on multiple roles and personal goals of the CC student. Providing tips and protective behavioral strategies (PBS) after BASICS interventions via handouts or mailed postcards is standard practice and with preliminary evidence supporting the use of mobile phone text messaging (TM) or short message service (SMS) to reduce heavy-episodic drinking; thus, in this study SMS text messages were used to deliver ongoing protective behavioral strategies (PBS) the month after participating in the BASICCS session. The objective of this research was to establish feasibility and acceptability as well as to determine preliminary or likely effect sizes. CC student drinkers were recruited to participate and if eligible, they were randomized to one of two conditions (BASICCS or assessment-only control) and completed 1- and 3-month follow-ups.