Transitions is a four year National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) funded individual-level preventive intervention with incoming URI students. This “R01” study is examining the unique and combined effectiveness of brief individualized feedback and a handbook for parents in reducing heavy drinking and alcohol-related negative consequences among incoming freshmen. We are also interested in examining the mechanisms (mediators) of intervention effects, as well as individual and situational variables that might qualify (moderate) intervention effects. Transitions is currently in Year 2, with data collection ongoing.
Thanks to the following students and staff who have worked on this project:
| Individual | Role on the Project |
| Rosa Barros, M.A. | Interim Project Coordinator |
| Liz Briggs | Research Assistant |
| Christy Capone, M.A. | Graduate Research Assistant |
| Susan Gomes, M.A. | Project Coordinator |
| Adam Guindon, B.A. | Research Assistant |
| Dorie Lawson, M.A. | Interim Project Coordinator |
| Rachael Reavy | Graduate Research Assistant |
| Sarah Warren | Research Assistant |
Thanks to the following graduate assistants who have worked as Transitions Interventionists:
| Christine Dias-Vieira |
| Jennifer Doucet |
| Cate O'Connor |
| Kristen Quinlan |
| Caren Witt |
| Jessica Nargisso |
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Primary Aim: |
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1. To investigate, through the use of a factorial design, the unique and combined utility of individualized feedback (IF), and a parent-based intervention (PBI) in reducing alcohol use and negative consequences among incoming college students. |
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a. It is hypothesized that groups receiving IF or PBI will exhibit lower levels of alcohol use and problems at follow-ups than those not receiving IF or PBI. b. It is further hypothesized that the effects of IF and PBI on alcohol use and problems will be additive. Specifically, it is predicted that those receiving both IF and PBI will demonstrate lower levels of alcohol use and problems than those receiving either IF or PBI alone.
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Secondary Aims: 2. To investigate the processes by which intervention factors influence alcohol use and problems. a. Mediational analyses will examine whether factors targeted in the IF (e.g., descriptive and injunctive norms, readiness to change, self-regulation) and the PBI (e.g., parent-student general and alcohol-specific communication, parental monitoring, parental modeling) mediate relations between intervention conditions and measures of alcohol use and problems at follow-ups. |
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3. To examine whether intervention effectiveness differs as function of individual and situational factors a. It is hypothesized that individual differences in motivation to engage in effortful cognitive activity (need for cognition) will moderate the effectiveness of IF on alcohol use and alcohol problems at follow-up. Specifically, it is predicted that individuals who are high in need for cognition and receive IF will exhibit lower levels of alcohol use and alcohol problems at follow-up than those with lower scores on this trait. b. Additional moderational analyses will examine whether individual difference (academic involvement/ history) and environmental (“Greek” involvement, peer and environmental influences) factors moderate relations between intervention conditions and alcohol use and problems at follow-up. c. We will also examine whether the efficacy of PBI is moderated by baseline parental involvement and communication (e.g., parent-teen general and alcohol specific communication, parent-teen relationship quality), and student residence (i.e., commuter vs. non-commuter) |
Abstract: Transitions Abstract---Download here.
Presentations/Publications: Transitions Presentation---Download here.