A review of motivational interviewing-based interventions targeting problematic drinking among college students

This article reviews motivational interviewing (MI)-based interventions targeting heavy drinking college students published between 2003 and 2008. A total of 11 MI-based interventions were included in this study. Students receiving the interventions were generally heavy drinkers or adjudicated students. Based on this review MI-based interventions appear to be consistently effective at reducing alcohol use and drinking problems. Most of the interventions focused on enhancing motivation for decreasing alcohol consumption. Many studies did not explicitly identify a behavioral theory, and antecedents of behaviors were rarely reported. Very few studies utilized randomized controlled design. Recommendations for future interventions are presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)