Citation

Bersamin M, Paschall MJ, Fearnow-Kenney M, Wyrick D. J. Am. Coll. Health 2007; 55(4): 247-254.

Affiliation

Prevention Research Center in Berkeley, CA, USA. mbersamin@prev.org

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

17319331

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In the current study, the authors assessed whether a new online alcohol-misuse prevention course (College Alc) is more effective at reducing alcohol use and related consequences among drinkers and nondrinkers. PARTICIPANTS: The authors compared incoming college freshmen who reported any past 30-day alcohol use before the beginning of the semester with those who did not. METHOD SUMMARY: The authors randomly assigned students who completed a precollege baseline survey to either complete a 3-hour noncredit version of College Alc or serve as members of a control group. The authors conducted a follow-up survey 3 months later. RESULTS: Findings indicated that among freshmen who were regular drinkers before college, College Alc appeared to reduce the frequency of heavy drinking, drunkenness, and negative alcohol-related consequences. Among freshmen who did not report any past-30-day alcohol use before college, College Alc did not appear to have any beneficial effects. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that College Alc may be an effective program for students with a history of alcohol use.

Language: en