Examination of posttraining supervision of peer counselors in a motivational enhancement intervention to reduce drinking in a sample of heavy-drinking college students

Mastroleo, Nadine R.; Turrisi, Rob; Carney, JoLynn V.; Ray, Anne E.; Larimer, Mary E.

doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2010.06.005

« Previous Next »Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
Volume 39, Issue 3 , Pages 289-297, October 2010

Examination of posttraining supervision of peer counselors in a motivational enhancement intervention to reduce drinking in a sample of heavy-drinking college students

Nadine R. Mastroleo, Ph.D.
- Department of Counselor Education, The Pennsylvania State University, Counseling Psychology, and Rehabilitation Services, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16801, USA
- Corresponding author. Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Box G-S121-4, Providence, RI 02912, USA. Tel.: +1 401 863 6630; fax: +1 401 863 6647.
Rob Turrisi, Ph.D.
- Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16801, USA
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
JoLynn V. Carney, Ph.D.
- Department of Counselor Education, The Pennsylvania State University, Counseling Psychology, and Rehabilitation Services, University Park, PA 16802, USA
Anne E. Ray, M.Ed.
- Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16801, USA
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
Mary E. Larimer, Ph.D.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98195, USA

Received 10 September 2009; received in revised form 9 June 2010; accepted 14 June 2010. published online 30 July 2010.

Abstract

Importance of peer counselor posttraining supervision on motivational interviewing (MI) microskills and postintervention drinking outcomes were evaluated in a sample of heavy-drinking undergraduate students completing Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS; L.A. Dimeff, J.S. Baer, D.R. Kivlahan, & G.A. Marlatt, 1999). Two peer counselor groups were trained using identical protocols. Posttraining, one group was randomized to receive supervision, whereas the other received no supervision. Groups were subsequently compared on MI microskills. College students (n = 122) were randomly assigned to either assessment-only control, supervision, or no supervision groups and completed a BASICS intervention. Postintervention drinking outcomes were examined. Results suggested supervision aided peer counselors in reducing use of closed-ended questions. Both treatment groups reduced total drinks per week and heavy-drinking behaviors compared to control. No differences on peak blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or alcohol-related consequences were observed. Differences in supervision did not influence drinking outcomes; however, posttraining supervision for peer counselors deficient in MI microskills may be needed to improve BASICS fidelity.

Keywords: Peer counselors, College students, Alcohol, Intervention, Motivational interviewing