Programmes cut college students' drinking, and their drinking problems for longer

The review

1. 01

   Who took part

   13,750 college students took part in 62 studies, mostly in the United States. They were about 20 on average, about half were women, and most were white.

2. 02

   What they did

   Most programmes were face to face, with a leader and usually two sessions of about 50 minutes. The rest were on a computer or by post, usually one session of about 15 minutes. Most of the other groups only answered questionnaires.

3. 03

   What happened

   One to three months later, students drank less than the other groups and drank heavily less often. Alcohol problems stayed lower from six months to nearly four years later. After six months, the amount drunk was no lower than in the other groups.

What the review found

1. HelpedGoals

   Across 38 studies, students drank less one to three months after a programme than the other groups did.

   Pooled analysis of 38 studies · vs the other groups, who mostly only answered questionnaires · they rated themselves

2. HelpedGoals

   Across 27 studies, students drank heavily less often one to three months later than the other groups.

   Pooled analysis of 27 studies · vs the other groups, who mostly only answered questionnaires · they rated themselves

3. HelpedOther outcomes

   Across 33 studies, students had fewer drinking problems one to three months later than the other groups.

   Pooled analysis of 33 studies · vs the other groups, who mostly only answered questionnaires · they rated themselves

4. HelpedOther outcomes

   Across 16 studies, students had fewer drinking problems six months or more later than the other groups.

   Pooled analysis of 16 studies · vs the other groups, who mostly only answered questionnaires · they rated themselves

Source