A randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted to evaluate both the short-term and long-term efficacy of innovative, incentive-free parent-based interventions (PBIs) designed to reduce underage drinking on college campuses. Although the current NIAAA-recommended Parent Handbook has shown modest effects, our preliminary work suggests that combining personalized normative feedback (PNF) delivered through a social media-inspired app with psychoeducational content can effectively decrease alcohol-related risk. In this large, multi-site trial with 2,040 first-year students, we will examine the short- and long-term effects of the experimental app-based PNF program (PNF+ PBI) compared to an email-based social norms marketing campaign (SNMC+ PBI), the Parent Handbook (PH+ PBI), and an assessment-only control on alcohol use and consequences (primary outcomes). Parent alcohol approval and communication will also be assessed as potential mediators of intervention effects (secondary outcomes). The researchers hypothesize that students whose parents receive PNF+ and SNMC+ PBIs will report lower levels of alcohol use and fewer alcohol-related consequences compared to those whose parents receive PH+ PBI or no intervention. It is also expected that parental approval will be lower and alcohol-related communication will be higher in these two experimental conditions, relative to PH+ PBI and no intervention.
Age range
17 Years – 20 Years
Sex
ALL
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Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Change in Baseline Daily Drinking from Baseline to 1 Month Post Intervention
Timeframe: baseline, 3 months
Change in Baseline Daily Drinking from Baseline to 7 Months Post Intervention
Timeframe: baseline, 7 months
Change in Baseline Daily Drinking from Baseline to 12 Months Post Intervention
Timeframe: baseline, 12 months
Change in Peak Drinking from Baseline to 1 Month Post Intervention
Timeframe: baseline, 1 month
Change in Peak Drinking from Baseline to 7 Months Post Intervention
Timeframe: baseline, 7 months
Change in Peak Drinking from Baseline to 12 Months Post Intervention
Timeframe: baseline, 12 months
Change in Heavy Episodic Drinking from Baseline to 1 Month Post Intervention
Timeframe: baseline, 1 month
Change in Heavy Episodic Drinking from Baseline to 7 Months Post Intervention
Timeframe: baseline, 7 months
Change in Heavy Episodic Drinking from Baseline to 12 Months Post Intervention
Timeframe: baseline, 12 months
Change in High Intensity Drinking from Baseline to 1 Month Post Intervention
Timeframe: baseline, 1 month
Change in High Intensity Drinking from Baseline to 7 Months Post Intervention
Timeframe: baseline, 7 months
Change in High Intensity Drinking from Baseline to 12 Months Post Intervention
Timeframe: baseline, 12 months
Change in Alcohol-Related Consequences from Baseline to 1 Month Post Intervention
Timeframe: baseline, 1 month
Change in Alcohol-Related Consequences from Baseline to 7 Months Post Intervention
Timeframe: baseline, 7 months
Change in Alcohol-Related Consequences from Baseline to 12 Months Post Intervention
Timeframe: baseline, 12 months