Alcohol interventions for college students improves antecedents of behavioral change: results from a meta-analysis of 34 randomized controlled trials

The current meta-analysis examined the effects of individual-level alcohol interventions on college students' knowledge and psychological outcomes at first post-intervention assessment. Data from 34 randomized-controlled trials published between 1980 and June 2007 ( = 8,569) were included. Independent raters coded participant characteristics, design and methodological features, and intervention content. Weighted mean effect sizes, using both fixed- and random-effects models, were calculated; positive effect sizes indicated greater improvement in alcohol-related knowledge or psychological outcomes. Compared to controls, alcohol interventions improved participants' alcohol-related knowledge, attitudes toward drinking, and descriptive norms (vis-à-vis national college students), and intentions to consume alcohol but did not improve alcohol expectancies or self-efficacy. Several sample, study, and intervention characteristics moderated the knowledge and psychological outcomes. Implications of these findings are discussed.