Ecological momentary assessment in a behavioral drinking moderation training program.

Abstract

We assessed predictors of self-reported excessive drinking (> 5 drinks) in a sample of heavy drinkers. Participants were randomly assigned to moderation training or a waiting-list control condition. They were trained in ecological momentary assessment (EMA) involving self-monitoring of drinking and other variables on a small hand-held computer, the electronic diary (ED). During the 8-week study, participants were compliant in their use of the ED for both random prompts and the entry of data related to specific drinking episodes. Generalized estimating equations were used to fit models involving predictors related to past history of drinking, aspects of the training program, drinking restraint, and episode-specific mood. The models indicated robust predictors of decreased and increased drinking. Our results suggest that EMA is a useful methodology for assessing drinking and related behaviors.

Craving in Intermittent and Daily Smokers During Ad Libitum Smoking

“…However, reactivity is greatest when subjects are trying to change their smoking (McFall, 1977), and these subjects were not. Previous analyses of smoking and other behaviors (Collins et al, 1998;Hufford, Shields, Shiffman, Paty, & Balabanis, 2002) have also found at most modest reactivity to EMA. Craving was measured with a single item.…”

Momentary Positive and Negative Affect Preceding Marijuana Use Events in Youth

“…Studies using EMA over extended periods (e.g., 8-12 weeks) have found both increased (Hensel et al, 2012) and decreased (Collins et al, 1998) substance use, which may be indicative of either reporting or behavioral reactivity. However, EMA studies involving shorter assessment periods (e.g., up to 2 weeks) have demonstrated minimal or no reactivity effects (Heron and Smyth, 2013;Hufford et al, 2002;Rowan et al, 2007).…”

Peer influences on college drinking: A review of the research

“…However, the few studies that evaluate one's susceptibility to drink offers have relied on retrospective surveys (Klein, 1992;Wood et al, 2001) or the use of written role-play vignettes (Shore et al, 1983). Quantitative diaries (e.g., Nezlek, 1993) or Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA; Collins et al, 1998) may be more sensitive and externally valid methods of assessment. Because their contents are unlimited and not fixed to exact targets, these self-monitoring methods allow students to record: (a) who is pressuring them to drink; (b) the context; (c) the type(s) of drink offered; and (d) their responses to discrete offers of alcohol.…”