Testing Alcohol Interventions Among Job-seekers

Testing Stage Tailored vs. Non-stage Tailored Interventions Among Job-seekers With Risky Drinking

The aim of the randomized controlled trial was to test two behavioral interventions among job-seekers with risky drinking. The interventions differed in their theoretical background: Intervention A was tailored to the stage of change, and Intervention B was non-stage-tailored. Over 12 months, job-seekers were pro-actively screened for risky drinking at three job-agencies. Job-seekers with risky drinking were asked to participate in the study. All three groups were assessed at baseline, and 3, 6 and 15 months later. The baseline assessment was self-administered using handheld computers. The follow-up assessments by interviews on the phone, primarily. Both intervention groups received individualized computer generated feedback letters at baseline and 3 months later.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Job-seekers with risky drinking (AUDIT-C ≥ 4/5 [women/men] and AUDIT < 20)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Job-seekers already asked to participate during an earlier visit at the job agency
• Job-seekers not intending to talk to a job-agent/ without waiting time
• Job-seekers physically or mentally not capable of participating in the study
• Job-seekers with insufficient language/ reading skills
• Job-seekers with more severe alcohol problems (AUDIT ≥ 20)
• Job-seekers employed at the department conducting the study