This study is designed to pilot a text message (TM) delivered behavior change intervention to decrease binge drinking and to increase use of sexual violence (SV) harm reduction strategies among college students.
This is a prospective, open-label, feasibility trial of a text message-delivered intervention designed to increase use of sexual violence harm reduction strategies and decrease alcohol use among college students. In this research study, participants will: * be asked to complete three surveys, one survey at the start of the study, one at the end of 3 month intervention period, and one at 6 months after enrollment * receive one of two sets of text messages for a 3 month intervention period and be asked to respond to some of those text messages * Control condition text messages: The control condition will be a version of the TM-delivered alcohol use reduction intervention developed and implemented by Dr. Brian Suffoletto while at the University of Pittsburgh. This intervention has been tested in young adults (age 18-25) recruited from Emergency Department and college settings, and will be used to provide an attention control group for efficacy testing. Prior to typical drinking occasions, individuals planning a drinking event are prompted to consider committing to a drinking limit goal, i.e.: "Would you be willing to set a goal to drink less than X drinks when drinking?". Based on willingness to commit to the goal, a feedback message is provided. During typical drinking periods, individuals receive a goal reminder. Each week, the program provides goal success/failure feedback or drinking quantity feedback. For example, those occasions where an individual committed to a drinking limit goal triggers either messages to reinforce goal successes or reframe goal failures. When an individual did not commit to a drink limit goal, they are provided feedback based on alcohol quantity (e.g. abstinence feedback, high risk drinking feedback). * Intervention condition text messages: The multi-target sexual violence harm reduction and alcohol use intervention will use a similar model to the alcohol use reduction intervention previous developed and implemented at the University of Pittsburgh.13-15 Students will be: 1) queried via TM prior to typical drinking days regarding both alcohol use and SV harm reduction goal setting; 2) provided with goal reminders during drinking period; and 3) assessed for goal attainment and given feedback following drinking episodes.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
183
The multi-target sexual violence harm reduction and alcohol use intervention will use a similar model to the alcohol use reduction intervention previous developed and implemented. Students will be: 1) queried via TM prior to typical drinking days regarding both alcohol use and SV harm reduction goal setting; 2) provided with goal reminders during drinking period; and 3) assessed for goal attainment and given feedback following drinking episodes. As with the control condition, post-drinking assessment happens weekly on Sundays. Monday thru Saturday participants will randomly receive or not receive one appropriate message pathway from the message library using the pre-determined pathways for messages.
The control condition will be a previously tested TM-delivered alcohol use reduction intervention. Prior to typical drinking occasions, individuals planning a drinking event are prompted to consider committing to a drinking limit goal, i.e.: "Would you be willing to set a goal to drink less than X drinks when drinking?". Based on willingness to commit to the goal, a feedback message is provided. During typical drinking periods, individuals receive a goal reminder. Each week, the program provides goal success/failure feedback or drinking quantity feedback. For example, those occasions where an individual committed to a drinking limit goal triggers either messages to reinforce goal successes or reframe goal failures. When an individual did not commit to a drink limit goal, they are provided feedback based on alcohol quantity (e.g. high risk drinking feedback).
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
Number of Drinking Days Per Month
as measured using a 30-day timeline follow-back (TLFB)
Time frame: 3 month follow up
Number of Drinking Days Per Month
as measured using a 30-day timeline follow-back (TLFB)
Time frame: 6 month follow up
Number of Binge Drinking Days Per Month
as measured using a 30-day timeline follow-back (TLFB)
Time frame: 3 month follow up
Number of Binge Drinking Days Per Month
as measured using a 30-day timeline follow-back (TLFB)
Time frame: 6 month follow up
Use of Sexual Violence Harm Reduction Strategies
Use of sexual violence harm reduction strategies assessed with an 11 item scale used by the American College Health Association's National College Health Survey of Protective Behavioral Strategies. Participants report on how often when drinking/socializing in the past 3 months they used each of the specific behaviors on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from (1 = never, 5 = always; theoretical range 11-55) with higher scores indicating higher frequency use of harm reduction strategies.
Time frame: 3 month follow up
Use of Sexual Violence Harm Reduction Strategies
Use of sexual violence harm reduction strategies assessed with an 11 item scale used by the American College Health Association's National College Health Survey of Protective Behavioral Strategies. Participants report on how often when drinking/socializing in the past 3 months they used each of the specific behaviors on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from (1 = never, 5 = always; theoretical range 11-55) with higher scores indicating higher frequency use of harm reduction strategies.
Time frame: 6 month follow up
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Knowledge of Sexual Violence and Alcohol Risk
Alcohol and sexual consent scale. A series of questions were asked to measure recognition of what constitutes sexual violence and attitudes related to the role of alcohol in risk for sexual violence. 12 item scale, using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from ("strongly disagree" to "strongly agree"; theoretical range of 12-60), with a higher mean score indicating greater knowledge and recognition.
Time frame: 3 month follow up
Knowledge of Sexual Violence and Alcohol Risk
Alcohol and sexual consent scale. A series of questions were asked to measure recognition of what constitutes sexual violence and attitudes related to the role of alcohol in risk for sexual violence. 12 item scale, using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from ("strongly disagree" to "strongly agree"; theoretical range of 12-60), with a higher mean score indicating greater knowledge and recognition.
Time frame: 6 month follow up
Self-efficacy to Obtain Sexual Consent.
Perceived behavioral control subscale of the Sexual Consent Scale-Revised. Participants reported how efficacious they feel at obtaining consent for sexual activity of a 5-point Likert scale. 11 item scale ("strongly disagree" to "strongly agree"; theoretical range of 11-55). Higher scores indicate greater self-efficacy.
Time frame: 3 month follow up
Self-efficacy to Obtain Sexual Consent.
Perceived behavioral control subscale of the Sexual Consent Scale-Revised. Participants reported how efficacious they feel at obtaining consent for sexual activity of a 5-point Likert scale. 11 item scale ("strongly disagree" to "strongly agree"; theoretical range of 11-55). Higher scores indicate greater self-efficacy.
Time frame: 6 month follow up