Evaluating a brief alcohol intervention with fraternities

Tested the efficacy of a brief intervention designed to reduce drinking and drinking-related consequences among first-year fraternity members. 12 fraternities were randomly assigned to receive either a motivational enhancement intervention with individual and housewide feedback components or a treatment-as-usual control condition. Individual feedback was delivered either by peer interviewers or professional research staff. Participants were assessed during their pledge (first) year of house membership and during a follow-up period 1 year later. Of the participants who completed follow-up (N=120), fraternity members who received the brief intervention reported significant reductions in alcohol use (total average consumption) and typical peak blood alcohol concentrations when compared with fraternity members in the control condition. No differences in drinking-related consequences were observed. Fraternity members who received their individualized feedback from peer interviewers and professional members of the research staff reported similar outcomes. Results provide support for the efficacy of a brief motivational enhancement intervention in reducing drinking within this high-risk population. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)