Narrative Writing to Promote Healthy Decisions About Alcohol During the Transition Out of College

Part of paid clinical trials in Houston, Texas.

Sponsor
University of Washington
Study ID
NCT07418424
Status
Enrolling By Invitation

Conditions

  • Alcohol Use, Unspecified

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 25 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Most hoped for future self — BEHAVIORAL
    Participants in this condition complete a version of the future possible self task in which they think and write about their most hoped for future self for 20 minutes.
  • Most feared future self — BEHAVIORAL
    Participants in this condition complete a version of the future possible self task in which they think and write about their most feared future self for 20 minutes.
  • Balanced future self — BEHAVIORAL
    Participants in this condition complete a version of the future possible self task in which they think and write about their most hoped for and feared future self for 20 minutes.
  • Control (trip to zoo) — BEHAVIORAL
    Participants in this condition think and write about a future trip to the zoo for 20 minutes

Study Details

The purpose of the proposed research is to evaluate (1) whether a future possible self task (FPST) can lead to changes drinking identity (DI; how much one associates one's self with drinking) and (2) whether the FPST and changes in drinking identity also change indicators of alcohol misuse . This study focuses on individuals who are graduating from college, which is a time of transition and identity change. If such changes can be demonstrated, DI may be a mechanism for alcohol misuse and the FPST may be an additional, novel intervention strategy to reduce alcohol misuse during the post-college transition. The goal of this clinical trial is to test the future possible self task (FPST) in individuals who are about to graduate from college. The main questions it aims to answer are: Can the FPST change drinking identity (a risk factor for alcohol misuse)? Can the FPST reduce risks for alcohol misuse? Participants will complete the FPST, a task that involves writing for 20 minutes, and will answer a series of questionnaires and computer-based word categorization tasks. Participants will be followed for a year after completing the FPST. Researchers will compare different versions of the FPST and different doses (one writing sessions vs. 3 writing sessions) to see which are more effective for changing drinking identity and reducing risks for alcohol misuse.

Key Dates

Start date
Feb 10, 2026
Status verified
Feb 2026
Primary completion
Oct 31, 2028
Completion
Oct 31, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
468 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
FACTORIAL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Most hoped for future self, 3 dose
    Participants complete a writing task in which they think and write about their most hoped for future self, weekly for 3 weeks (i.e., at each session).
  • Experimental: Most hoped future self, 1 dose
    Participants complete a writing task in which they think and write about their most hoped for future self one time (on the third session).
  • Experimental: Most feared future self, 3 dose
    Participants complete a writing task in which they think and write about their most feared future self, weekly for 3 weeks (i.e., at each session).
  • Experimental: Most feared future self, 1 dose
    Participants complete a writing task in which they think and write about their most feared future self one time (on the third session).
  • Experimental: Balanced self (hoped and feared self), 3 dose
    Participants complete a writing task in which they think and write about their most hoped for and feared future self, weekly for 3 weeks (i.e., at each session).
  • Experimental: Balanced self (hoped and feared self), 1 dose
    Participants complete a writing task in which they think and write about their most hoped for and feared future self one time (on the third session).
  • Placebo Comparator: Control, 3 dose
    Participants in this condition complete a task in which they think and write about a trip to the zoo weekly for 3 weeks (i.e., at each session).
  • Placebo Comparator: Control, 1 dose
    Participants in this condition complete a task in which they think and write about a trip to the zoo one time (on the third session).

Primary Outcome Measure

Explicit drinking identity [ Time Frame: Will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention (about 2 weeks after baseline), 1-month follow up, 3-month follow up, 6 month-follow up, & 12-month follow up ]

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
University of HoustonHoustonTexas77204-

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By research site
University of Houston· Houston, TX

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