Enrollment and assessment of a first-year college class social network for a controlled trial of the indirect effect of a brief motivational intervention

Abstract

Heavy drinking and its consequences among college students represent a serious public health problem, and peer social networks are a robust predictor of drinking-related risk behaviors. In a recent trial, we administered a Brief Motivational Intervention (BMI) to a small number of first-year college students to assess the indirect effects of the intervention on peers not receiving the intervention.

Objectives: To present the research design, describe the methods used to successfully enroll a high proportion of a first-year college class network, and document participant characteristics.

Methods: Prior to study enrollment, we consulted with a student advisory group and campus stakeholders to aid in the development of study-related procedures. Enrollment and baseline procedures were completed in the first six weeks of the academic semester. Surveys assessed demographics, alcohol use, and social network ties. Individuals were assigned to a BMI or control group according to their dormitory location.

Results: The majority of incoming first-year students (1342/1660; 81%) were enrolled (55% female, 52% nonwhite, mean age 18.6 [SD = 0.51]). Differences between the intervention and control group were noted in alcohol use, but were in large part a function of there being more substance-free dormitory floors in the control group.

Conclusions: The current study was successful in enrolling a large proportion of a first-year college class and can serve as a template for social network investigations.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02895984.

Keywords: Alcohol; College; Implementation; Intervention; Social network; Study design.

Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Figures

Figure 1.

Sociogram of the First-year College Student Network at Baseline (N = 1342)

Figure 2.

Flow Chart of Participant Enrollment and Baseline Data Collection

Figure 3.

Participants in the BMI group. Intervention recipients were chosen such that 25% of higher frequency heavy drinkers (more than one heavy drinking day in past month), would receive BMI (27% were selected, anticipating some non-completion of the BMI). Those not selected from the higher frequency group and other heavy drinkers (those with one heavy drinking day) received no direct intervention. The same process was used for the NHC group (not shown).