Evaluation of a Combined Motivational Interviewing and Ecological Momentary Intervention to Reduce Risky Alcohol Use among Sexual Minority Males and Transgender Individuals
Project Number5R01AA030487-03
Contact PI/Project LeaderLAUCKNER, CAROLYN Other PIs
Awardee OrganizationUNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Description
Abstract Text
ABSTRACT
Sexual and gender minority individuals are more likely to report hazardous drinking and have alcohol use
disorders (AUDs) compared to cisgender and heterosexual people. Emerging adult (aged 18-34) sexual and
genderminorities are at especially high risk for AUDs compared to older adults, with up to 44% meeting AUD
criteria. These trends are concerning, as studies have found that alcohol use increases HIV risk behaviors, and
HIV disproportionately affects emerging adult sexual minority male and transgender (SMMT) individuals. Thus,
it is essential to test interventions for reducing alcohol use among SMMT individuals as a means of preventing
HIV among this vulnerable population. One potential evidence-based method of reducing alcohol use is
motivational interviewing, which incorporates a goal-oriented approach for changing behavior and has been
shown to be effective among various populations in prior literature and the investigators’ pilot research.
However, there are opportunities to use technology to extend the impact of this approach by delivering
messaging to prevent risk behaviors in real time (i.e., outside of intervention sessions). The proposed study will
conduct a 3-arm randomized controlled trial that assesses the efficacy of two interventions as compared to a
control: 1) An 8-week motivational interviewing intervention (TRAC) delivered remotely via cell phones and 2)
TRAC combined with an ecological momentary intervention designed to deliver messages reinforcing drinking
reduction strategies discussed during TRAC sessions when individuals visit risky locations (GeoTRAC). All
participants will also complete monitoring of alcohol use and sexual behavior by completing daily surveys and
twice-daily mobile breathalyzer readings. GeoTRAC will use an existing app developed in the investigators’
ongoing research that uses GPS tracking to determine when individuals visit “risky” locations. Participants will
receive messages upon arrival at these locations reminding them of strategies to address triggers for drinking,
and will also complete mobile surveys and breathalyzer readings when they leave these locations to determine
what alcohol and/or risk behaviors they engaged in. If they reported drinking, they will receive harm reduction
messaging to encourage them to avoid subsequent risk behavior (e.g., unprotected sex). Breathalyzer results
and daily self-reports will be used to assess the primary and secondary outcomes of drinking days,
drinks/drinking day, binge drinking episodes, and HIV risk behaviors, and additional assessments at baseline,
8 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months will evaluate exploratory long-term outcomes. Participants will be recruited
from Kentucky and Connecticut through community-based recruitment and health clinics that serve SMMT
individuals. Overall, there is a strong need to determine optimal methods of reducing alcohol use among
emerging adult SMMT individuals given its relationship to increased HIV risk behaviors. The proposed work will
draw upon the high technological literacy of emerging adults by using mobile phones and will test an innovative
precision medicine approach that offers comprehensive support in reducing hazardous alcohol consumption.
Public Health Relevance Statement
PROJECT NARRATIVE
Emerging adult sexual minority male and transgender individuals are more likely to report hazardous drinking
and to have alcohol use disorders compared to those who are cisgender and heterosexual. This is concerning,
as alcohol use contributes to HIV risk and HIV disproportionately affects this population. Through a randomized
controlled trial, the proposed research will evaluate an enhanced motivational interviewing intervention that
utilizes smartphones and mobile breathalyzers to provide real-time messaging that addresses triggers for
drinking when individuals visit locations associated with risky alcohol use.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
CFDA Code
273
DUNS Number
939017877
UEI
H1HYA8Z1NTM5
Project Start Date
15-August-2022
Project End Date
31-May-2027
Budget Start Date
01-June-2024
Budget End Date
31-May-2025
Project Funding Information for 2024
Total Funding
$681,813
Direct Costs
$554,571
Indirect Costs
$127,242
Year
Funding IC
FY Total Cost by IC
2024
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
$681,813
Year
Funding IC
FY Total Cost by IC
Sub Projects
No Sub Projects information available for 5R01AA030487-03
Publications
Publications are associated with projects, but cannot be identified with any particular year of the project or fiscal year of funding. This is due to the continuous and cumulative nature of knowledge generation across the life of a project and the sometimes long and variable publishing timeline. Similarly, for multi-component projects, publications are associated with the parent core project and not with individual sub-projects.
No Publications available for 5R01AA030487-03
Patents
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Outcomes
The Project Outcomes shown here are displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Institutes of Health. NIH has not endorsed the content below.
No Outcomes available for 5R01AA030487-03
Clinical Studies
No Clinical Studies information available for 5R01AA030487-03
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History
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Similar Projects
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