Predicting Success in Online Self-Help for Problem Drinkers
Author Information
Author(s): Eysenbach Gunther, Postel Marloes, Powell John, Riper Heleen, Kramer Jeannet, Keuken Max, Smit Filip, Schippers Gerard, Cuijpers Pim
Primary Institution: Trimbos Institute (Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction)
Hypothesis
Certain baseline characteristics can predict the effectiveness of a web-based self-help intervention for problem drinkers.
Conclusion
Female gender and higher education levels were associated with better treatment responses to the Drinking Less intervention.
Supporting Evidence
- Women who completed the intervention reduced their alcohol consumption more than men.
- Higher education levels were linked to better outcomes in the intervention.
- Prior professional help for alcohol problems was a marginally significant predictor of treatment response.
Takeaway
This study found that women and more educated people might benefit more from an online program to help reduce drinking.
Methodology
Secondary analysis of data from a pragmatic randomized trial with follow-up at 6 and 12 months.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to high loss to follow-up and the nature of self-referred participants.
Limitations
High dropout rates and the inability to study additional predictors like self-efficacy due to data limitations.
Participant Demographics
Participants were adult problem drinkers from the Dutch general population, with a near 1:1 female-to-male ratio and a majority having high educational backgrounds.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P = .01
Confidence Interval
95% CI 5.86 - 18.10
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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