Using EMA Data to Inform a Web-intervention for Couples Concerned About Drinking

NCT06501677 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 71858
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 275
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Alcohol misuse is a prevalent and serious problem with significant harms to society, individuals, and their relationships. Romantic partners have a strong influence on their partner's behavior, uniquely positioning them as a motivator and supportive factor in changing their partner's alcohol use, but little evidence exists on the specific ways they can influence their partner. The impact this has on the quality of their relationship, communication, and overall well-being has yet to be explored. Thus, this study utilizes qualitative, quantitative, and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data from both partners to develop a web-based intervention that applies communication-based personalized feedback to support the concerned partner (CP) in motivating their drinking partner (DP) to reduce drinking and other adverse relationship outcomes.

Conditions

Alcohol; Use, Problem

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• DP Alcohol Use

  The frequency of and amount of alcohol use, craving, and consequences experienced by the drinking partner

  Baseline, Daily (EMA), 1-month-follow-up

• CP Well-Being

  The severity of depression and anxiety symptoms, level of anger, and perceived social support in the concerned partner

  Baseline, 1-month-follow-up

• CP-DP Relationship Quality

  The degree of conflict and cohesion, style of communication, satisfaction, frequency of disagreement, and overall quality of the relationship

  Baseline, Daily (EMA), 1-month-follow-up

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• CP Communication and Responsiveness about Drinking

  Baseline, Daily (EMA), 1-month-follow-up

Study Arms (3)

Identify CP communication behaviors that elicit or inhibit DP drinking using EMA

NO INTERVENTION

Couples (N=50 dyads) with one CP and one DP will be recruited from social media. Both partners will independently complete baseline and follow-up surveys. Both the CP and DP will independently complete a 21-day EMA with three daily reports on their communication and DP's drinking (craving, motives, consumption, problems). We will identify specific CP communication behaviors as proximal and long-term predictors of the DP's drinking and non-drinking. Hyp1: CP punishing drinking (e.g., yelling) will relate to increases in DP drinking. Hyp2: CP rewarding drinking (e.g., bringing alcohol home) will relate to increases in DP drinking. Hyp3: CP rewarding sobriety (e.g., planning non-drinking activities) will relate to decreases in DP drinking.

Develop and evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a WBI providing personalized feedback

EXPERIMENTAL

We will use the Behavioral Intervention Technology Model framework to iteratively develop a four-session WBI that includes CRAFT principles and education about communication patterns learned in Aim 1. During the WBI, CPs will receive personalized feedback based on their baseline data on how their communication may influence their DP's drinking. We will evaluate the WBI's feasibility and acceptability with 15 CPs to iteratively improve the WBI.

Behavioral: WBI

Perform a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing WBI to psychoeducation control

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Outcomes include DP drinking (primary), CP well-being (e.g., depression, anxiety, social support), and relationship functioning (e.g., relationship distress). Although the WBI will target CPs, we will collect data from both partners (N=80 couples) at baseline and 1-month follow-up to evaluate effects. Hyp4: DP, CP, and relationship outcomes will show greater improvement in the WBI compared to control.

Behavioral: WBI

Interventions

WBI BEHAVIORAL

The WBI will comprise of four sessions focusing on CRAFT principles including: (1) self-care, (2) positive communication including ways to increase responsiveness to the DP (PPR; i.e., actively listening, showing understanding, expressing interest in what their DP is thinking and feeling, and trying to see where the DPs is coming from), (3) understanding the DP's drinking reinforcers, and (4) supporting the DP if they want help and engaging in positive, healthy activities with the DP. ' partner. Each module will take \~20-30 minutes and each session will: (1) instill optimism in CPs, (2) be solution-focused, (3) emphasize that the CP is not responsible for the DP's behaviors, and (4) use a nonjudgmental, non-confrontational, empathetic style. The WBI intervention is focused on reduced drinking in the DP and improved CP wellness.

Also known as: Partners Connect

Develop and evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a WBI providing personalized feedback; Perform a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing WBI to psychoeducation control

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• be at least 18 years of age
• be in a romantic relationship
• live with their partner
• have a computer, tablet, or phone with internet access
• have no plans to separate from partner in next 60 days
• feel safe from partner violence

You may not qualify if:

• report 4/5+ on the AUDIT-C
• Drinking Partners:
• be at least 18 years of age
• report 4/5+ on the AUDIT-C
• have a computer, tablet, or phone with internet access
• feel safe from partner violence
• in current treatment for alcohol
• concern about their CPs drinking

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Stanford University: lead
• Portland State University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Portland State University

Portland, Oregon, 97207, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Alcoholism

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Alcohol-Related Disorders; Substance-Related Disorders; Chemically-Induced Disorders; Mental Disorders

Central Study Contacts

Katherine Nameth, BS

CONTACT

6505429699; knameth@stanford.edu

Karen Osilla, PhD

CONTACT

kosilla@stanford.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 9, 2024
• First Posted: July 15, 2024
• Study Start: April 22, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2027
• Last Updated: April 27, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Locations

US (1)