Personalised feedback interventions with Marilyn Piccirillo, Katherine Walukevich-Dienst, and Elizabeth Lehinger

Personalised feedback interventions with Marilyn Piccirillo, Katherine Walukevich-Dienst, and Elizabeth Lehinger

Ever wondered how a few minutes could potentially change someone's drinking habits? This episode of Addiction Audio dives into the world of personalised feedback interventions (PFIs) with experts Dr Marilyn Piccirillo, Dr Katherine Walukevich-Dienst, and Dr Elizabeth Lehinger. Hosted by Dr Tsen Vei Lim, the conversation explores their research on PFIs aimed at young adults in two West Coast universities.

The episode unpacks how these brief interventions work by highlighting discrepancies between a student's drinking habits and those of their peers, encouraging adjustments to align with social norms. The trio discusses how internalising distress – like anxiety and depression – can impact the effectiveness of these interventions. While PFIs show promise in reducing alcohol-related risks, they aren't universally effective.

Students experiencing higher distress levels might not benefit as much, raising questions about how these interventions can be tailored for greater impact. Intriguingly, the findings suggest that less complex interventions might be more beneficial for those with greater distress. With insights from a pioneering study led by Dr Mary Larimer, the episode sheds light on how PFIs can be adapted to maximise their effectiveness.

The conversation also touches on the broader implications for policy and practice, emphasising the importance of early intervention in college settings to prevent long-term alcohol-related issues. If you're curious about how personalised interventions could help reduce drinking-related harm, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into cutting-edge research and its potential applications. So, why not give it a listen and see what small changes might lead to big results?