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Computer‐delivered interventions to reduce college student drinking: a meta‐analysis
Author(s) -
Carey Kate B.,
ScottSheldon Lori A. J.,
Elliott Jennifer C.,
Bolles Jamie R.,
Carey Michael P.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0965-2140
DOI - 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02691.x
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , meta analysis , alcohol , alcohol consumption , psychology , medicine , environmental health , psychiatry , chemistry , biochemistry
Aims This meta‐analysis evaluates the efficacy of computer‐delivered interventions (CDIs) to reduce alcohol use among college students. Methods We included 35 manuscripts with 43 separate interventions, and calculated both between‐group and within‐group effect sizes for alcohol consumption and alcohol‐related problems. Effects sizes were calculated for short‐term (≤5 weeks) and long‐term (≥6 weeks) intervals. All studies were coded for study descriptors, participant characteristics and intervention components. Results The effects of CDIs depended on the nature of the comparison condition: CDIs reduced quantity and frequency measures relative to assessment‐only controls, but rarely differed from comparison conditions that included alcohol‐relevant content. Small‐to‐medium within‐group effect sizes can be expected for CDIs at short‐ and long‐term follow‐ups; these changes are less than or equivalent to the within‐group effect sizes observed for more intensive interventions. Conclusions CDIs reduce the quantity and frequency of drinking among college students. CDIs are generally equivalent to alternative alcohol‐related comparison interventions.