Heavy/at-risk alcohol use among young adults is an important public health problem given its association with health risk behavior and negative consequences. Dual process models of self-control characterize heavy/at-risk alcohol use as a function of (1) automatic appetitive processes and (2) conscious control processes. While existing interventions typically focus on individuals’ conscious control processes, recent research has focused on targeting automatic appetitive processes directly through strategies such as Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM). Although there is some evidence that CBM may improve outcomes for patients in treatment for alcohol use disorder, there is less evidence for its efficacy among young adults. This has been attributed to utilizing CBM as a stand-alone intervention and recruiting samples with low motivation to change drinking in prior studies. To address these limitations, this study examined the efficacy of CBM as an adjunct to brief web-based motivational intervention among young adults interested in changing their drinking. Heavy drinkers, ages 18-34, were recruited through social media platforms and completed an online screener. Eligible participants (N = 81) completed baseline assessment and a web-based motivational intervention (NIAAA- Rethinking Drinking). Participants were randomized to one of two adjunct intervention conditions—CBM or SHAM (control)—that was completed following the motivational intervention and over 4 sessions in the ensuing week. Weekly number of drinks, weekend drinking, alcohol-related consequences, readiness to change, and implicit biases toward alcohol were measured at baseline, 1-week and 1-month follow-up. Intervention condition did not significantly predict the primary outcomes of weekly drinking or consequences at 1-month, controlling for sex. In addition, intervention condition was not associated with implicit bias toward alcohol at 1-week or 1-month follow-up, controlling for sex. Post-hoc analyses revealed the intervention may be differentially efficacious for individuals high, versus low, in readiness to change. Overall, this web based CBM intervention did not reduce drinking behavior, consequences, or implicit biases compared to SHAM. Future work should focus on alternative strategies to modify automatic processes to enhance motivational web-based interventions, particularly among individuals highly motivated to change their behavior.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bu.edu/oai:open.bu.edu:2144/44812 |
| Date | 27 June 2022 |
| Creators | Tahaney, Kelli Danielle |
| Contributors | Palfai, Tibor P. |
| Source Sets | Boston University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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