Prevention of High-Risk Drinking in Youth in the Workplace: A Brief Computerized Intervention

Introduction: Research demonstrates the efficacy of brief interventions based on social norming and motivational enhancement models for college students. These interventions, however, have not been applied to youth in the workplace. The aim of this study is to bridge this gap by evaluating the efficacy of a brief computerized intervention program aimed at decreasing high-risk drinking for youth in the workplace.

Methods: To date, 61 young employees recruited from worksites have completed baseline and 30-day follow-up sessions. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1) computerized intervention (CI; N = 27), or 2) control group (N = 34). All participants completed validated questionnaires on drinking variables and perceptions of peer drinking at baseline and follow-up. The CI group completed a 10-minute online intervention immediately followed by individualized graphic feedback describing drinking patterns and risk status in relation to peer norms.

Results: Paired t-tests were conducted to assess changes in drinking variables and perception of peers' drinking in the two study groups. For the CI group, results indicated a decrease from baseline to follow-up for drinking-related consequences, t (1,26) = 2.15, p < .05, and perception of frequency of peer drunkenness, t (1,26) = 3.53, p < .01. There were no differences from baseline to follow-up for the control group.

Conclusions: Results of this study provide evidence for the effectiveness of a brief computerized intervention targeting high-risk drinking for youth in the workplace. Results also indicate the alteration of normative perceptions may be the mechanism of change.

(Invited talk for a symposium titled The Design, Use, and Effectiveness of an Interactive Web Site For Addressing Workplace Substance Abuse, Mental Health, and Health Issues.)