Mediators and Moderators of a Web-based Intervention for Alcohol Use

Analysis of Mediators and Moderators of a Web-based Intervention for Alcohol Use Among College Students

Background: Alcohol use among college students causes health and social problems. However, even when available, many students do not access alcohol interventions. Web-based Personalized Normative Feedback (PNF) has been used to disseminate alcohol brief-interventions, and evidence supports PNF efficacy in reducing alcohol consumption among this population. On the other hand, studies on PNF mediators and moderators are scarce, limiting the knowledge on the mechanisms of change and conditions in which their effects occur. Objective: to evaluate whether normative perceptions mediate, and motivation to receive the intervention, moderates the effects of a web-based PNF intervention (Pesquisa Universitária sobre Bebidas - PUB 2.0) for alcohol use among Brazilian college students. Methods: Pragmatic randomized controlled trial among college students aged 18 and over and with follow-up assessments after 1, 3 and 6 months. Participants will be randomized into a Control group (assessment only) or to receive the updated version of the intervention (PUB 2.0). Outcomes are the typical number of drinks (primary outcome) and the total number of drinks consumed, drinking frequency, maximum number of drinks consumed and number of consequences (secondary outcomes). Statistical analyses will consider Structural Equation Models and significance level of 5%. This study will improve knowledge on how and in which conditions a web-based alcohol PNF effects occur, helping tailor future strategies to reduce the impact of alcohol problems among college students.

The Personalised Normative Feedback provides information on 1) alcohol consumption (the number of drinks consumed, alcohol-pattern use, binge drinking); 2) normative comparisons; 3) alcohol-related consequences; 4) practical costs of alcohol consumption (money spent and calories consumed); 5) strategies to avoid or risks associated with alcohol use.