A randomized pilot trial of a mobile delivered brief motivational interviewing and behavioral economic alcohol intervention for emerging adults.

OBJECTIVE: Mobile health (mHealth) interventions show potential to broaden the reach of efficacious alcohol brief motivational interventions (BMIs). However, efficacy is mixed and may be limited by low participant attention and engagement. The present study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a live text-message delivered BMI in a pilot randomized clinical trial. METHOD: Participants were 66 college students (63.6% women; 61.9% White; Mage = 19.95, SD = 1.66) reporting an average of 11.88 (SD = 8.74) drinks per week, 4.42 (SD = 3.59) heavy drinking episodes (HDEs), and 8.44 (SD = 5.62) alcohol-related problems in the past month. Participants were randomized to receive either (a) education or (b) an alcohol BMI plus behavioral economic substance-free activity session (SFAS), each followed by 4 weeks of mini sessions. All sessions were administered via live text-message. Participants completed assessments postintervention (after the 4th mini session) and at 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: 90.9% completed both initial full-length sessions and at least two of the four mini sessions with 87.9% retention at 3-month follow-up. Participants found the interventions useful, interesting, relevant, and effective, with no between-group differences. There were no statistically significant group differences in drinks per week or alcohol-related problems at follow-up, but BMI + SFAS participants reported fewer past-month HDEs than those who received education. CONCLUSIONS: Live text-messaging to deliver the BMI + SFAS is feasible and well-received. The preliminary efficacy results should be interpreted cautiously due to the small sample size but support further investigation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Adverse childhood experiences, racial microaggressions, and alcohol misuse in Black and White emerging adults.

OBJECTIVE: Research indicates that emerging adults (EAs) are at an increased risk for heavy drinking and its associated alcohol problems, and that both proximal and distal stressors (e.g., adverse childhood experiences [ACEs], and subtle racial discrimination [racial microaggressions]) may contribute to these high-risk outcomes. We investigated the relationship of ACEs with alcohol consumption and alcohol problems in a sample of Black and White EAs, and racial microaggressions with alcohol consumption and alcohol problems in the Black EAs in our sample. METHOD: Six hundred two EAs (41.5% Black, 47% White; 57.3% women) completed measures assessing ACEs, alcohol consumption, and alcohol problems. One hundred ninety-six Black EAs in the sample were also asked to complete a measure of racial microaggressions that assessed their level of distress related to these experiences. RESULTS: Regression analyses demonstrated a positive association of ACEs with alcohol consumption and alcohol problems. Sex moderated the relation of ACEs with alcohol consumption such that the positive relationship between ACEs and alcohol consumption was minimally stronger for females. College status moderated the relation of ACEs with alcohol consumption such that the relationship between ACEs and alcohol consumption was stronger for college students than non-college students. Racial microaggressions were positively associated with alcohol problems, but not alcohol consumption. CONCLUSION: Findings underscore the importance of childhood stressors with alcohol consumption and problems for EAs, and the need for additional research on racial microaggressions and alcohol problems in Black EAs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).