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Evidence summaries

Social Norms Interventions to Reduce Alcohol Misuse in University or College Students

Web/computer feedback and individual face-to-face feedback appear to be effective in reducing alcohol use, misuse and related problems over the immediate and medium term amongst university or college students. Level of evidence: "B"

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 22 studies with a total of 7 275 subjects. Social norms interventions were compared to a control intervention, typically consisting of a leaflet with drinking related advice, for reduction of alcohol misuse in college or university students.

Web/computer feedback (WF) reduced alcohol related problems (SMD -0.31 95% Cl -0.59 to -0.02; 3 studies, n=278), Peak Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) (SMD -0.77 95% Cl -1.25 to -0.28; 2 studies, n=198; statistical heterogeneity I2 62.2%), drinking frequency (SMD -0.38 95% Cl -0.63 to -0.13; 2 studies, n=243), drinking quantity (SMD -0.35 95% Cl -0.51 to -0.18; 5 studies, n=556), binge drinking (SMD -0.47 95% Cl -0.92 to -0.03; 1 study, n=80), and improved drinking norms (SMD -0.75 95% Cl -0.98 to -0.52; 3 studies, n=312). Individual face-to-face feedback (IFF) reduced drinking frequency (SMD -0.39 95% Cl -0.66 to -0.12; 2 studies, n=217) and binge drinking (SMD -0.25 95% Cl -0.49 to -0.02; 3 studies, n=278) but had no significant effect on alcohol related problems, peak blood alcohol content, blood alcohol content levels, or drinking quantity. Significant effects were more apparent for short term outcomes (up to three months). However, there was some evidence of effect continuing through to medium-term follow-up from 4 to 16 months: alcohol related problems (WF, SMD -0.26 95% Cl -0.45 to -0.07; 3 studies, n=415 and IFF, SMD -0.24 95% Cl -0.42 to -0.07; 5 studies, n=533) and drinking frequency (WF, SMD -0.31 95% Cl -0.49 to -0.13; 3 studies, n=478 and IFF, SMD -0.26 95% Cl -0.44 to -0.08; 3 studies, n=476).

Group face-to-face feedback reduced drinking quantity (SMD -0.32 95% Cl -0.63 to -0.02; 3 studies, n=173), binge drinking (SMD -0.38 95% Cl -0.62 to -0.14; 4 studies, n=264), but had no significant effect on alcohol related problems for short term (up to three months). There were no results for medium- or longer-term follow-up. Mailed feedback had no significant effect on alcohol related problems, peak blood alcohol content, blood alcohol content levels, drinking frequency, drinking quantity, or binge drinking,

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality (unclear allocation concealment and lack of blinding).

References

  • Moreira MT, Smith LA, Foxcroft D. Social norms interventions to reduce alcohol misuse in university or college students. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009 Jul 8;(3):CD006748. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords