Abstract: Technology-Based Substance Use Interventions for Young Adults and College Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Society for Social Work and Research 29th Annual Conference)

Schedule:

Saturday, January 18, 2025

Jefferson B, Level 4 (Sheraton Grand Seattle)

* noted as presenting author

Audrey Hai, PhD, Assistant Professor, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA

Jocelyn Simons, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA

Laura Curran, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Tulane University, LA

Patrick Bordnick, PhD, MSW, MPH, Dean, Tulane School of Social Work, New Orleans, LA

Kate Carey, PhD, Professor, Brown University, RI

Background and Purpose. Substance use poses a significant public health concern among young adults (YA) and college students (CS) on a global scale. Technology presents an innovative avenue for disseminating substance use interventions to YA/CS. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized evidence from randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of technology-based interventions (TBIs) for substance use and related consequences among YA/CS

Methods. Nine electronic databases were searched. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed evidence quality. We used robust variance estimation in meta-regression for synthesizing effect sizes and moderator analyses. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias assessment were also performed.

Results. In total, 113 studies were included in the review. The overall between-group effect size (Hedge’s g) was .25 (95% CI= .19, .30). Effect sizes for TBIs’ effects on alcohol use, drug use, unspecified/multiple substance use, substance use consequences were .25 (95% CI=.18, .31), .35 (95% CI=.15, .55), .22 (95% CI= -.16, .60), and .16 (95% CI=.04, .28), respectively. Moderator analysis showed that TBIs with human contact had a larger effect than TBIs without human contact (b=.14, SE=.06, t=2.21, p<.050).

Conclusion and Implications. TBIs are effective for improving substance use and related consequences among YA/CS and TBIs with some human contact might have a greater effect than TBIs solely delivered by technology. Overall, this study highlights the need for continued monitoring of technology-driven interventions for substance use,and can provide valuable insights into ways that evolving technology can be developed for substance use interventions.