TY - JOUR
T1 - Efficacy of a minimally guided internet treatment for alcohol misuse and emotional problems in young adults
T2 - Results of a randomized controlled trial
AU - Frohlich, Jona R.
AU - Rapinda, Karli K.
AU - Schaub, Michael P.
AU - Wenger, Andreas
AU - Baumgartner, Christian
AU - Johnson, Edward A.
AU - O'Connor, Roisin M.
AU - Vincent, Norah
AU - Blankers, Matthijs
AU - Ebert, David D.
AU - Hadjistavropoulos, Heather D.
AU - Mackenzie, Corey S.
AU - Wardell, Jeffrey D.
AU - Augsburger, Mareike
AU - Goldberg, Joel O.
AU - Keough, Matthew T.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021
PY - 2021/12
Y1 - 2021/12
N2 - Objective: Many young adults struggle with comorbid alcohol misuse and emotional problems (i.e., depression and anxiety). However, there is currently a paucity of evidence-based, integrated, accessible treatment options for individuals with these comorbidities. The main goal of this study was to examine efficacy of a novel online, minimally guided, integrated program for comorbid alcohol misuse and emotional problems in young adults. Method: The study was an open-label two-arm RCT. Participants (N = 222, Mage = 24.6, 67.6% female) were randomized to one of two conditions: the Take Care of Me program (an 8-week, online integrated treatment condition consisting of 12 modules), or an online psychoeducational control condition. Intervention modules incorporated content based on principles of cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. Participants completed assessment data at baseline, at the end of treatment (i.e., 8 weeks), and at follow-up (i.e., 24 weeks). Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models. Results: We observed that participants in the treatment condition showed larger reductions in depression, hazardous drinking, as well as increases in psychological quality of life and confidence at the end of treatment. We did not find group differences on total alcohol use at follow-up, but participants in the treatment group reduced their hazardous drinking and improved their quality of life at 24-week follow-up. Conclusions: Our study provides promising initial evidence for the first iteration of the comorbid alcohol misuse and emotional problems online program.
AB - Objective: Many young adults struggle with comorbid alcohol misuse and emotional problems (i.e., depression and anxiety). However, there is currently a paucity of evidence-based, integrated, accessible treatment options for individuals with these comorbidities. The main goal of this study was to examine efficacy of a novel online, minimally guided, integrated program for comorbid alcohol misuse and emotional problems in young adults. Method: The study was an open-label two-arm RCT. Participants (N = 222, Mage = 24.6, 67.6% female) were randomized to one of two conditions: the Take Care of Me program (an 8-week, online integrated treatment condition consisting of 12 modules), or an online psychoeducational control condition. Intervention modules incorporated content based on principles of cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. Participants completed assessment data at baseline, at the end of treatment (i.e., 8 weeks), and at follow-up (i.e., 24 weeks). Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models. Results: We observed that participants in the treatment condition showed larger reductions in depression, hazardous drinking, as well as increases in psychological quality of life and confidence at the end of treatment. We did not find group differences on total alcohol use at follow-up, but participants in the treatment group reduced their hazardous drinking and improved their quality of life at 24-week follow-up. Conclusions: Our study provides promising initial evidence for the first iteration of the comorbid alcohol misuse and emotional problems online program.
KW - Alcohol misuse
KW - Anxiety
KW - Cognitive behavioural therapy
KW - Depression
KW - Emerging adulthood
KW - Integrated treatment
KW - Minimally guided
KW - Motivational interviewing
KW - Online
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85118762451&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.abrep.2021.100390
DO - 10.1016/j.abrep.2021.100390
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85118762451
SN - 2352-8532
VL - 14
JO - Addictive Behaviors Reports
JF - Addictive Behaviors Reports
M1 - 100390
ER -