The feasibility and effectiveness of a web-based personalised feedback and social norms alcohol intervention in UK university students: A randomised control trial
Abstract
Objective Alcohol misuse amongst University students is a serious concern, and research has started to investigate the feasibility of using e-health interventions. This study aimed to establish the effectiveness of an electronic web-based personalised feedback intervention through the use of a randomised control trial (RCT).Methods 506 participants were stratified by gender, age group, year of study, self-reported weekly consumption of alcohol and randomly assigned to either a control or intervention condition. Intervention participants received electronic personalised feedback and social norms information on their drinking behaviour which they could access by logging onto the website at any time during the 12-week period. CAGE score, average number of alcoholic drinks consumed per drinking occasion, and alcohol consumption over the last week were collected from participants at pre- and post-survey.Results A significant difference in pre- to post-survey mean difference of alcohol consumed per occasion was found, with those in the intervention condition displaying a larger mean decrease when compared to controls. No intervention effect was found for units of alcohol consumed per week or for CAGE scores. Sixty-three percent of intervention participants agreed that the feedback provided was useful. Those intervention participants who were above the CAGE cut off were more likely to report that the website would make them think more about the amount they drank.Conclusions Delivering an electronic personalised feedback intervention to students via the World Wide Web is a feasible and potentially effective method of reducing student alcohol intake. Further research is needed to replicate this outcome, evaluate maintenance of any changes, and investigate the process of interaction with web-based interventions.
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Many trials use pilots and usability studies to ensure the program functions as planned.
“Many trials use pilots and usability studies to ensure the program functions as planned [18-22].”
From A Systematic Review of the Impact of Adherence on the Effectiveness of e-Therapies (2011) · cites this paper as [18]
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- Authors
- Bewick, B. M., Trusler, K., Mulhern, B., Barkham, M., & Hill, A. J.
- Affiliations
- University of Leeds (GB)
- University of Sheffield (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Bewick, Bridgette M.
- Venue
- Addictive Behaviors
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2008-09
- Volume
- 33
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 1192-1198
- ISSN
- 0306-4603 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2049658617
- Cited by
- 157
- References
- 43
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 10
- FWCI
- 9.90
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Addictive Behaviors (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Keywords
- alcohol abuse, university students, online intervention, personalized feedback, social norms, e-health, alcohol consumption, CAGE screening, drinking behavior, feasibility
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Alcohol Drinking, Alcoholism, Feasibility Studies, Feedback, Female, Humans, Male, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Students, Universities, Program Evaluation, Sex Distribution, Internet, Feedback, Psychological, Young Adult
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