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Symposia

Program / Treatment Design

Innovations to Evidence-Based Practices: Enhancing Engagement, Outcomes, and Access

5 - (SYM 84) A Qualitative Analysis of Young Adults' Perceptions of an Ecological Momentary Intervention for Drinking to Cope

Saturday, November 16, 2024
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM EST
Location: Franklin 2, Level 4, Downtown Marriott
Abstract Body

Young adults with depression and anxiety are vulnerable to the development of alcohol-related problems and alcohol use disorder, in part because they drink to cope with negative emotions. However, many general psychiatric treatment programs do not directly address the connection between internalizing problems and drinking, including the maladaptive tendency to drink to cope. Consequently, it is critical to develop innovative, scalable interventions that address unhealthy drinking by helping young adults use healthy coping alternatives.


This qualitative project examined participant experiences of a 6-week ecological momentary intervention (EMI) aimed to reduce drinking to cope with negative emotions. Young adults aged 18-25 (N = 12, anticipated N = 20) were recruited from partial and intensive outpatient psychiatric hospitalization programs. They were eligible if they reported significant mood and/or anxiety, past-month hazardous drinking, and drinking to cope with negative emotions. Participants received 4 randomly-delivered EMI assessments per day for 6 weeks, which assessed mood and cravings/intentions to drink alcohol. If their responses suggested that they might be likely to drink to cope, the app suggested healthy coping strategies. Participants could customize aspects of the app, including which emotions were asked about, coping skill suggestions, and time windows of notification delivery. At the 6-week follow-up session, participants engaged in a qualitative interview, which inquired about participants’ experiences using the app and suggestions for app improvements.


Using thematic analysis, several interview themes emerged. One theme included general positive experiences using the app: many participants expressed subjective improvement in their symptoms and reductions in drinking to cope. Another emerging theme was the idea that being asked about their emotions was an “active ingredient” for many participants; that is, several noted that merely reflecting on their emotional experiences helped them effectively regulate emotions, regardless of coping skill suggestions. Participants suggested several valuable areas for EMI improvement, including additional personalization and interface/design suggestions. An additional emerging theme was participants’ recommendation that the app also assess cannabis cravings/urges so that it could suggest coping skills when they were at risk of cannabis use to cope. Implications of these themes and discussion of iterative improvement to the EMI will be discussed.