Pilot of a Computer-Based Brief Multiple–Health Behavior Intervention for College Students

Abstract

Objective: Given the documented multiple health risks college students engage in, and the dearth of effective programs addressing them, the authors developed a computer-based brief multiple–health behavior intervention. This study reports immediate outcomes and feasibility of a pilot of this program. Participants: Two hundred students attending a midsized university participated. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention or control program, both delivered via computer. Immediate feedback was collected with the computer program. Results: Results indicate that the intervention had an early positive impact on alcohol and cigarette use intentions, as well as related constructs underlying the Behavior-Image Model specific to each of the 3 substances measured. Based on the implementation process, the program proved to be feasible to use and acceptable to the population. Conclusion: Results support the potential efficacy of the intervention to positively impact behavioral intentions and linkages between health promoting and damaging behaviors among college students.

Keywords:

• alcohol
• health education
• other drugs

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported in part by funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (grant DA018872). The authors thank Dean Dr Pamela Chally and Chair Dr Judy Perkin, who because of their support, made it possible to implement the intervention at the university. The authors also thank Britnee Skinner for her assistance in implementing this study.