Assessment reactivity: A randomized controlled trial of alcohol-specific measures on alcohol-related behaviors

Publication date: April 2017
Source:Addictive Behaviors, Volume 67
Author(s): Ellen Meier, Mary Beth Miller, Nate Lombardi, Thad Leffingwell
IntroductionCompletion of alcohol assessments influences treatment outcomes, yet little is known about the aspects of assessment that may contribute to this response. The present study is a randomized controlled trial examining how the themes of alcohol assessments (e.g., assessment of alcohol-related consequences as opposed to drinking patterns) may affect drinking behaviors.MethodsUndergraduate students (N=290, Mage=19.97, SDage=1.81, 61.7% female), reporting at least one binge drinking episode during the past month, completed one of five baseline assessment batteries that varied thematically: (a) Control (e.g., minimal drinking quantity and frequency questions), (b) Consequences (e.g., College Alcohol Problems Scale; CAPS-r), (c) Norms (e.g., Drinking Norms Rating Form), (d) Diagnostic (e.g., Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test), and (e) Combined (all themes). Participants completed a one-month follow-up of drinking quantity/frequency and the CAPS-r.ResultsAll groups decreased their self-reported peak drinks consumed (p<0.001, ηp²=0.05) and past month frequency of drinking (p=0.002, ηp²=0.03; except for the consequences group) from baseline to follow-up. There were no between-group differences. No changes emerged in drinks per week (p=0.09, ηp²=0.01) or alcohol-related consequences (p=0.06, ηp²=0.03) from baseline to follow-up.ConclusionMinimal assessment of drinking quantity and frequency may result in assessment reactivity. Reductions in markers of risky drinking behaviors did not differ as a function of the type of assessments completed (e.g., Consequences vs Diagnostic). Continued research is needed to determine what other important variables (e.g., treatment seeking) may affect assessment reactivity.



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