Brief motivational intervention (BMI): In-person—Group
In-person group BMI combines a brief intervention with motivational interviewing in a group (rather than in a one-on-one setting). BMI emphasizes personal responsibility and self-efficacy of participants, offering them personalized feedback on their alcohol use, risks, expectancies, perceptions of social norms, and options for reducing problems and consequences. A trained facilitator guides the group discussion. Goals for behavioral change are set by participants.
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Effectiveness: = Moderate effectiveness
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Cost: $$ = Mid-range
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Research Amount: *** = 7 to 10 studies
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Public Health Reach: Focused
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Primary Modality: In-person group
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Staffing Expertise Needed: Health professional and coordinator
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Target Population: Individuals or specific groups
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Duration of Effects: Short-term (< 6 months) and long-term (≥ 6 months) effects
Effectiveness ratings are based on the percentage of studies reporting any positive outcomes. Strategies with three or fewer studies did not receive an effectiveness rating due to the limited data on which to base a conclusion. Cost ratings are based on the relative program and staff costs for adoption, implementation, and maintenance of a strategy. Actual costs will vary by institution, depending on size, existing programs, and other campus and community factors. Barriers to implementing a strategy include cost and opposition, among other factors. Public health reach refers to the number of students that a strategy affects. Strategies with a broad reach affect all students or a large group of students (e.g., all underage students); strategies with a focused reach affect individuals or small groups of students (e.g., sanctioned students). Research amount/quality refers to the number of randomized controlled trials (RCT) that evaluated the strategy. Duration of effects refers to the timeframe within which the intervention demonstrated effects on alcohol-related behavioral outcomes; follow-up periods for short-term effects were <6 months; follow-up periods for long-term effects were ≥6 months.
Larimer, M.E.; and Cronce, J.M. Identification, prevention, and treatment revisited: Individual-focused college drinking prevention strategies 1999–2006. Addictive Behaviors 32:2439–68, 2007.
- LaChance, H.; Feldstein Ewing, S.W.; Bryan, A.D.; and Hutchison, K.E. What makes group MET work? A randomized controlled trial of college student drinkers in mandated alcohol diversion. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 23(4):598–612, 2009.
Cronce, J.M.; and Larimer, M.E. Individual-focused approaches to the prevention of college student drinking. Alcohol Research and Health 34(2):210–21, 2011.
- Cimini, M.D.; Martens, M.P.; Larimer, M.E.; Kilmer, J.R.; Neighbors, C.; and Monserrat, J.M. Assessing the effectiveness of peer-facilitated interventions addressing high-risk drinking among judicially mandated college students. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (Suppl.16):57–66, 2009.
- LaBrie, J.W.; Huchting, K.; Tawalbeh, S.; et al. A randomized motivational enhancement prevention group reduces drinking and alcohol consequences in first-year college women. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 22(1):149–55, 2008.
- Stahlbrandt, H.; Johnsson, K.O.; and Berglund, M. Two-year outcome of alcohol interventions in Swedish university halls of residence: A cluster randomized trial of a brief skills training program, twelve-step-influenced intervention, and controls. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 31(3):458–66, 2007.
Additional studies not identified in prior reviews
- Henslee, A.M.; and Correia, C.J. The use of freshmen seminar programs to deliver personalized feedback. Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education 53(3):39–52, 2009.
References from 2019 update
- Alfonso J.; Hall T.V.; and Dunn, M.E. Feedback?based alcohol interventions for mandated students: An effectiveness study of three modalities. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 20(5):411–23, 2013.
- Hustad, J.P.; Mastroleo, N.R.; Kong, L.; et al. The comparative effectiveness of individual and group brief motivational interventions for mandated college students. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 28(1):74–84, 2014.
- Michael, K.D.; Curtin, L.; Kirkley, D.E.; et al. Group-based motivational interviewing for alcohol use among college students: An exploratory study. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice37(6):629–634, 2006.
For information about intervention designs and implementation, check the articles in the References.
