Previous research indicates interventions targeting drinking motives aid in reducing alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences. To improve said interventions, a recent study evaluated the effectiveness of a brief, personalized feedback intervention that specifically targeted drinking to cope motives. Study participants included undergraduates enrolled in a specific class at a university that used alcohol at least twice weekly (n=159). Participants completed a baseline assessment and were randomly assigned either the “Motives” (n=81) or “Standard” (n=78) feedback condition. The PFI included drinking norms, alcohol-related consequences, and with the “Motives” condition, coping-motive feedback and education, as well as alternative coping strategies. Two months following the PFI, participants completed an online follow-up assessment. Regardless of condition, the PFI resulted in a reduction in quantity of use and alcohol-related consequences at the two month follow-up. In addition, among participants that drank to cope with anxiety or with depression, greater reductions in alcohol use were observed among participants receiving the coping-motives feedback compared with traditional PFI.
Take Away: This study supports that incorporating coping-motives feedback may augment the impact of traditional PFI. The authors suggest future studies include longer follow-ups, higher-risk samples, and incorporation of different types of motives feedback.