文摘
Problematic alcohol consumption in the college student population has led to many harmful consequences for students Ham & Hope, 2003; Wechsler, Lee, Kuo, & Lee, 2000). While some treatments---particularly those based on the principles of motivational interviewing MI)---have been shown to be effective at reducing this behavior, these treatments are not effective for everyone Stewart, Morris, Mellings, & Komar, 2006). One major mediating variable that has negatively impacted the success of these treatments is the presence of social anxiety Terlecki, Buckner, Larimer, & Copeland, 2012). The goal of the present study is to develop a treatment protocol by using MI techniques in conjunction with treatments for social anxiety in order to decrease problematic alcohol consumption in students with a comorbid diagnosis of social anxiety SA). Specifically, certain aspects of social anxiety have been found to increase an individuals vulnerability to problematic drinking, such as desire to conform, fear of negative evaluation, and lack of self-efficacy in drink refusal. These areas will be targeted in treatment by using cognitive-behavioral techniques during the social anxiety intervention phase. It was hypothesized that the conjunction of MI and SA treatment targeted at anxiety management in social situations would decrease alcohol consumption in students with a comorbid diagnosis. Nine college students who met criteria for both SA and problematic drinking participated in the study. To ensure that any changes in behavior were due to the combined effect of the MI and SA treatment, the participants were put in one of three treatment groups: MI and SA treatments combined treatment, MI only followed up with general informative psychoeducation on time management and organization skills; and SA treatment only followed by general informative psychoeducation. Criteria for inclusion in the study required students to meet scores indicating problematic alcohol consumption as measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Babor, T. F., Higgins-Biddle, J. C., Saunders, J. B., & Monteiro, M. G., 2001) and scores indicating social anxiety as measured by the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale Mattick & Clarke, 1998). Participants met with a student clinician once a week for approximately 50 minutes for a total of five consecutive weeks, and all sessions followed the treatment protocol. Results showed a decrease in alcohol consumption behavior at the end of the 5 week period for the group receiving combined MI and SA treatment; this was maintained at follow-up time. In addition, Participants who received the MI only treatment did not show any significant changes in their alcohol consumption, while Participants who received the SA treatment showed mixed results. Results support the need for a combined MI and SA treatment to decrease alcohol use in college age students who present with a dual diagnosis of alcohol use disorder and social anxiety.