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Affiliation
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Oklahoma State University, Department of Psychology, 118 N. Murray, Stillwater, OK 74078, United States. |
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Abstract
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INTRODUCTION: Completion of alcohol assessments influences treatment outcomes, yet little is known about the aspects of assessment that may contribute to this response. The present study is a randomized controlled trial examining how the themes of alcohol assessments (e.g., assessment of alcohol-related consequences as opposed to drinking patterns) may affect drinking behaviors.
METHODS: Undergraduate students (N=290, Mage=19.97, SDage=1.81, 61.7% female), reporting at least one binge drinking episode during the past month, completed one of five baseline assessment batteries that varied thematically: (a) Control (e.g., minimal drinking quantity and frequency questions), (b) Consequences (e.g., College Alcohol Problems Scale; CAPS-r), (c) Norms (e.g., Drinking Norms Rating Form), (d) Diagnostic (e.g., Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test), and (e) Combined (all themes). Participants completed a one-month follow-up of drinking quantity/frequency and the CAPS-r.
RESULTS: All groups decreased their self-reported peak drinks consumed (p<0.001, ηp(2)=0.05) and past month frequency of drinking (p=0.002, ηp(2)=0.03; except for the consequences group) from baseline to follow-up. There were no between-group differences. No changes emerged in drinks per week (p=0.09, ηp(2)=0.01) or alcohol-related consequences (p=0.06, ηp(2)=0.03) from baseline to follow-up.
CONCLUSION: Minimal assessment of drinking quantity and frequency may result in assessment reactivity. Reductions in markers of risky drinking behaviors did not differ as a function of the type of assessments completed (e.g., Consequences vs Diagnostic). Continued research is needed to determine what other important variables (e.g., treatment seeking) may affect assessment reactivity.
Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Language: en |