The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an intervention aiming to reduce heavy episodic drinking and negative consequences from alcohol by increasing the availability of and engagement in alcohol-free social activities for college students who are affiliated with a fraternity or sorority organization.
The negative impact of heavy episodic drinking (HED) among college students continues to be a major public health issue, and students who are members of fraternities and sororities (Greek members) are at particularly greater risk for experiencing negative alcohol consequences due to frequent HED. This study integrates developmental and behavioral economic models of alcohol use to test an environmental approach to reducing alcohol-related harm among Greek members. Within the Greek community, chapters will plan and offer alcohol-free social activities for their chapter members to attend, providing alternatives to drinking events for building social connections. To increase usability and contextual fit, the program of alcohol-free social activities was developed and refined in collaboration with Greek members. The pilot trial is focused on evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention but will also evaluate changes in heavy episodic drinking and alcohol consequences using a pre-post design, with data collected across two consecutive academic years. Members of participating chapters will provide baseline data during Year 1 and receive the intervention during Year 2.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
480
The Alcohol-Free Social Activities Program is a chapter-level behavioral intervention designed to increase the availability of and participation in rewarding social activities that do not involve alcohol among fraternity and sorority members. Participating chapters will receive a program toolkit containing guidance and procedures for planning and implementing alcohol-free social activities. Chapter leaders will select, plan, and implement activities for their members during the intervention period. The program is designed to increase opportunities for rewarding alcohol-free social experiences and strengthen social connection among chapter members.
University of Washington School of Medicine
Seattle, Washington, United States
RECRUITINGIntervention Feasibility: Recruitment
Number of chapters who agree to participate in the intervention
Time frame: From initiation of chapter recruitment through the end of Year 1 enrollment, approximately 18 months.
Intervention Feasibility: Retention
The proportion of participating chapters that remain actively involved in the program through completion of the intervention period.
Time frame: From chapter enrollment through completion of the intervention period, approximately 14 months
Intervention Feasibility: Engagement
Number of Greek members who attend the social activities
Time frame: The intervention delivery period (approximately 4 weeks) during year 2
Weiner's Acceptability measure
Measure of acceptability of the intervention
Time frame: Post-intervention during Year 2
Weiner's Intervention Appropriateness measure
Measure of appropriateness of the intervention
Time frame: Post-intervention during Year 2
Weiner's Feasibility measure
Measure of feasibility of the intervention
Time frame: Post-intervention during Year 2
Intervention Feasibility: Enjoyment Ratings
Ratings of enjoyment from Greek members who attend an alcohol-free social activity
Time frame: During the intervention period in Year 2
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Heavy episodic drinking episodes
Number of heavy episodic drinking episodes derived from the Daily Drinking Questionnaire
Time frame: Assessment periods over two months of Year 1 and Year 2
Alcohol consequences
Sum scores on the Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (BYAACQ) which assesses alcohol use consequences. Higher scores indicate worse outcome.
Time frame: Assessment periods over two months of Year 1 and Year 2
Intervention Feasibility: Practicality
Time spent planning and facilitating alcohol-free social activities by chapters
Time frame: The intervention delivery period (approximately 4 weeks) during year 2