# REFINING BOOSTERS TO STRENGTHEN ONLINE COLLEGE STUDENT DRINKING INTERVENTIONS

> **NIH NIH K01** · OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $121,581

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
This application is for a supplement to the Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01 AA023849;
PI: Braitman), directly necessary because of disruption due to the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-
19) pandemic. Research activities under the original award included a series of four studies designed to refine
the methodology, improve the efficacy of an electronic booster after computerized interventions. Research
aims included to 1a) examine if feedback about harm reduction strategies strengthen the effects of
personalized normative feedback alone in boosters emails (Study 1a - complete), 1b) examine if personal
contact enhances the tailored feedback received (Study 1b - complete), 2) identify optimal timing of delivery
for booster (Study 2 – in progress), 3a) explore social mechanisms of change (across studies), 3b) examine
the effects of interventions-plus-boosters when delivered to existing social networks (i.e., fraternities/sororities;
Study 3 – not yet started), and 4) examine potential moderators and mediators of reductions in alcohol use
and related problems (across studies). Results will provide preliminary data for an R01 application. Prior to the
pandemic shut down, data collection was complete for the first two studies in the sequence. Data collection for
the third study was about to begin. However, on-site data collection for all studies involving human subjects
was halted during March 2020 by the host institution due to the pandemic and related social distancing
protocols. Although we have resumed data collection for Study 2 using virtual protocols (after a 9-month
pause), examination of project aims is difficult due to the focus on social drinking. This has resulted in much
slower enrollment than in previous studies. The extra funded year will allow for the final assessment window of
Study 2 (9-month follow-up and data analysis) as well as all activities for Study 3. A projected timeline to
complete all originally proposed research activities (complete Study 2 and conduct Study 3) and deliver on all
project aims requires 12 additional months for the award, and additional funds are required to maintain the PI’s
effort levels required by the mechanism. Training goals identified for the original award period included: 1) to
broaden and strengthen her emerging adult alcohol use knowledge base, 2) to develop expertise in the
enhancement and evaluation of boosters after interventions for college drinkers, 3) to increase her proficiency
in Social Network Analysis, 4) to enhance scholarly productivity via secondary data analyses and manuscript
preparation, and 5) to increase her grantsmanship, enlisting the mentorship of Drs. Kate Carey, Michelle
Kelley, Cathy Lau-Barraco, Kayo Fujimoto, and Ken Leonard. Many of the training activities required attending
in-person workshops and conferences which were cancelled due to the pandemic. Although some activities
have transitioned online, the PI could not att...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10403138
- **Project number:** 3K01AA023849-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Abby L. Braitman
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $121,581
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2016-09-15 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10403138

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10403138, REFINING BOOSTERS TO STRENGTHEN ONLINE COLLEGE STUDENT DRINKING INTERVENTIONS (3K01AA023849-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10403138. Licensed CC0.

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