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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2008 Mar;22(1):141-8.
doi: 10.1037/0893-164X.22.1.141.

Live interactive group-specific normative feedback reduces misperceptions and drinking in college students: a randomized cluster trial

Joseph W LaBrie  1 , Justin F Hummer, Clayton Neighbors, Eric R Pedersen
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Live interactive group-specific normative feedback reduces misperceptions and drinking in college students: a randomized cluster trial

Joseph W LaBrie et al. Psychol Addict Behav. 2008 Mar.

Abstract

This research evaluated the efficacy of a live and interactive group-specific normative feedback intervention designed to correct misperceptions of alcohol-related group norms and subsequently reduce drinking behavior. Campus organizations (N = 20) containing 1,162 college students were randomly assigned to intervention or assessment-only control conditions. Participants in the intervention condition attended an intervention during their organization's regular standing meeting. Data were gathered in vivo using computerized handheld keypads into which participants entered personal responses to a series of alcohol-related questions assessing perceptions of normative group behavior as well as actual individual behavior. These data were then immediately presented in graphical form to illustrate discrepancies between perceived and actual behavioral group norms. Results indicated that compared with the control group, the intervention group reduced drinking behavior and misperceptions of group norms at 1-month and 2-month follow-ups. Changes in perceived norms mediated the reductions in drinking. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of a novel, technologically advanced, group-based, brief alcohol intervention that can be implemented with entire groups at relatively low cost.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Moderation of intervention efficacy by discrepancy between perceived behavior and real behavior of group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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