Joan M. Carlson, MSW¹, Michele J. Moore, PhD¹, Chudley E. Werch, PhD¹, and Pamela S. Chally, PhD, RN². (1) Center for Research on Substance Abuse, University of North Florida, 4567 St. Johns Bluff Road, South, Building 39, Room 3042, Jacksonville, FL 32224-2645, (904) 620-2847, jcarlson@unf.edu, (2) Dean, College of Health, University of North Florida, 4567 St. Johns Bluff Road, South, Jacksonville, FL 32224-2645

The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of a brief alcohol misuse prevention consultation compared to informational print materials among first-year residential students who reported having consumed alcohol within the past 30 days. Subjects included 397 students, age 18 to 20, recruited on campus, in high traffic areas, at a midsized southeastern university. Students were randomly assigned by computer-generated numbers to receive either the Balancing Your Life, one-on-one brief consultation or, to receive a 15-page health and wellness informational booklet. Both the consultation and the booklet addressed alcohol use, physical activity and exercise, nutrition, stress management and social resources. Pre-test and three-month posttest analyses were conducted. Results indicated few between group differences regarding alcohol use. When intervention groups were combined, however, paired t-tests found significant reductions (p<.05) in the quantity of beer, wine, flavored coolers and high-proof liquor consumed over time. Significant reductions (p<.05) were also noted in the frequency of specific beverages for beer, wine, flavored coolers, liquor and high-proof liquor. Additionally, there were significant reductions over time for the number of days students consumed alcohol (p=.000), and the total number of drinks consumed in the past 30 days (p=.001). These collective findings suggest brief prevention interventions, including generic commercial print materials, hold promise for reducing alcohol quantity and frequency among college freshman residential students. Implications of these results for future research and programming at the collegiate level will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• identify the primary purpose of the study presented;
• list the research methods of the study;
• describe the key findings from the study; and
• discuss the significance of collegiate alcohol preventive intervention to public health

Keywords: Alcohol Use, College Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.