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Access Type
WSU Access
Date of Award
January 2025
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Emily Grekin
Abstract
Heavy alcohol use is associated with serious mental and physical healthconsequences that result in billions of dollars in health care expenditures each year. Heavy alcohol use is particularly common among young adults, 40% of whom report past-month binge drinking and 15% of whom meet criteria for an alcohol use disorder (Schulenberg et al, 2021; SAMHSA, 2024). However, despite these high prevalence rates and the significant consequences associated with problem drinking, the vast majority of young adults never seek treatment; many citing barriers such as cost, time constraints, stigma, and the belief that treatment is unnecessary (SAMHSA, 2024). Social media is widely and frequently used by young adults and may therefore provide an ideal platform for alcohol interventions. To date, however, very few empirical studies have tested the effects of social media-based alcohol interventions, and those that have, have used Facebook, a platform with diminishing popularity among young adults.
The current study tested an Instagram-based binge drinking intervention amongyoung adults by building on pilot work and using a community-based, young adult sample, a randomized controlled design, and a 10-week follow-up assessment. Results show support for small-to-moderate intervention effect on past-month drinking, including total number of drinks, drinking days, and binge drinking days, as well as readiness to change. The intervention was also associated with decreases in frequency of use of protective behavioral strategies. There is no evidence of effect on positive/negative affect, alcohol related consequences, or mindfulness practices. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Thomas, Halle, "A Randomized Controlled Trial Of A Novel Instagram Intervention Targeting Alcohol Use And Binge Drinking" (2025). Wayne State University Dissertations. 4293.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations/4293