Computer-delivered interventions to reduce college student drinking: a meta-analysis.

Carey, Kate B.; Scott‐Sheldon, Lori A. J.; Elliott, Jennifer C.; Bolles, Jamie R.; Carey, Michael P.

Aims This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of computer-delivered interventions (CDIs) to reduce alcohol use among college students. Methods We included 35 manuscripts with 43 separate interventions, and calculated both between-group and within-group effect sizes for alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems. Effects sizes were calculated for short-term (≤5 weeks) and long-term (≥6 weeks) intervals. All studies were coded for study descriptors, participant characteristics and intervention components. Results The effects of CDIs depended on the nature of the comparison condition: CDIs reduced quantity and frequency measures relative to assessment-only controls, but rarely differed from comparison conditions that included alcohol-relevant content. Small-to-medium within-group effect sizes can be expected for CDIs at short- and long-term follow-ups; these changes are less than or equivalent to the within-group effect sizes observed for more intensive interventions. Conclusions CDIs reduce the quantity and frequency of drinking among college students. CDIs are generally equivalent to alternative alcohol-related comparison interventions.

ALCOHOL drinking in college; META-analysis; COMPUTER software usability; TREATMENT effectiveness; ALCOHOL drinking prevention; ALCOHOLISM; PHYSIOLOGICAL effects of alcohol; DRINKING behavior; BINGE drinking; PREVENTION

Addiction, 2009, Vol 104, Issue 11, p1807

0965-2140

Academic Journal

10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02691.x