A Web-Based Intervention for Unsafe Drinking among Asian Indian Students

Asian Indian college students are considered a model minority in the United States. However, literature has shown that there are a growing number of Asian Indian college students who are consuming alcohol more than the required amounts. A preliminary study done at two Midwestern Universities found that 62% of Asian Indian college students consumed alcohol in the past 30 days and 44% males and 7% females engaged in binge drinking in the past 30 days. The purpose of this study was to conduct a web-based intervention among Asian Indian college students using social cognitive theory that focused on enhancing situational perception pertaining to alcohol use, outcome expectations as well as the outcome expectancies or the valuations of their expected drinking outcomes, drinking refusal self-efficacy skills and self control for quitting alcohol. A total of 60 participants were randomized to intervention (n=30) and control group (n=30). The intervention was done for a period of 6 weeks. The control group received modules on general health related topics such as diet and exercise, while the intervention group received modules on alcohol facts and effects, perceptions of peer drinking norms, resources to develop alternative healthy behaviors, ways for developing drinking refusal self-efficacy skills and self control to quit drinking alcohol. A 60 item valid and reliable self-reported questionnaire was used to tap the frequency, quantity and predictors of alcohol use and binge drinking behaviors. Pre-test and post-test survey was conducted to measure the effectiveness of the intervention. Results showed significant changes in constructs of social cognitive theory, alcohol use, and binge drinking behaviors. Social cognitive theory is a useful framework for designing interventions in this area.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation the participants will be able to:

• Describe how a web based method can be used to develop intervention studies.

• Identify similar intervention studies for other health related behaviors.

• Discuss the role of social cognitive theory in designing alcohol education interventions.