Effects of a Smartphone Intervention on Unprotected and Regretted Sex among Heavy Drinking Young Adults

Abstract

Alcohol consumption is associated with negative sexual outcomes among heavy drinking young adults. Smartphone interventions are a promising approach to reducing alcohol consumption. This study aimed to test whether a smartphone app designed to reduce heavy drinking (via feedback on the cued go/no-go task) would reduce reports of negative sexual outcomes, including unprotected sex and regretted sex. It was hypothesized that app use would be associated with fewer negative sexual outcomes, especially among women. Participants were young adult heavy drinkers (N = 49) aged 21 to 25 years old. Participants completed an in-person drinking session as well as a four-week field use period during which they used the app in drinking situations. Participants reported on their drinking consequences via the Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (YAACQ) at baseline, two- and four-week follow-ups, and six- and twelve-month follow-ups. No significant associations were found between app use and unprotected or regretted sex, but the results were in the predicted directions, especially among women. Given encouraging preliminary results, future studies with larger samples should test smartphone app interventions for young adult heavy drinking.